
Qass 
Book u 



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THE 



History of Georgia 7^; 



Containing Brief Sketches 

of the Most Remarkable Events 

Up to the Present Day 

(1784) 



BY CAPT. HUGH M'CALL 



IN ONE VOLUME 



With a vast benevolence of soul 

To range like Oglethorpe from pole to pole. 

—Pope. 



REPRINTED BY 

A. B. Caldwell, Publisher, Atlanta, Georgia 
1909 



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\^^^ 






^ THE PUBLISHER'S WORD 

This is a reprint, not a revision. The first volume of 
McCall's History was published in 1811, the second volume in 
1816. 

Major McCall was nearly a man at the close of the Revolu- 
tion, later a gallant officer in the regular army. He learned 
devotion to duty, and from a sense of duty combined with love 
of country, he wrote his History of Georgia while suffering 
constant and tormenting pain, and confined to a roller chair by 
his physical disabilities. Having served faithfully in the 
armies of his country, he did not want the record of what was 
truly its heroic period to be lost, and in so far as he could pre- 
serve that record, in spite of age and feebleness and pain, he 
did so. 

There are many curious phrases in the book, many familiar 
words the spelling of which does not look familiar. There are 
a number of statements not altogether accurate in detail. But 
I have made no changes. I prefer to give to our readers the 
work exactly as it came from Major McCall's hand, written at 
a time when a great many men who had been soldiers of the 
Revolution were yet in the prime of life. !N^otwithstanding its 
defects of punctuation, of grammar and of spelling, it is a work 
of intense interest to Georgians, and it is reproduced exactly 
as it was first printed ninety-eight years ago, (except that the 
two volumes are included in one,) with the idea that it will be 
helpful to the Georgians of this day to read of what the Geor- 
gians of that day did and suffered. 



/;43 





^H^^z5^^2.>^ 



HUGH McCALL 

IT is a matter of much regret that Georgia's first historian, 
who with such commendable efforts rescued from oblivion 
many of the early traditions of our State, should himself 
have left such scanty material for his ovni biographer. The life 
of this modest and worthy man has been too long neglected, and 
the reader must be content with only a brief sketch from the 
fragments gathered from various sources. 

In the old Colonial Cemetery at Savannah, upon a plain mar- 
ble slab level with the ground, may be read the following in- 
scription : 

"Sacred to the meraory of 
HUGH McCALL, 

Brevet Major in the U. States army. 

Born in N. Carolina 

Feb. 17. 1767, 

died 
June 10. 1824. 
He served the U. S. in various capacities 30 years; the last 
20 years under severe bodily suflFering, but with usefulness to 
himself, his country and his friends." 

It is singular that so accurate a historian as Colonel C. C 
Jones in his published address before the Georgia Historical So- 
ciety, in 1881, refers to Hugh McCall, the historian, as an "offi- 
cer in the army of the Revolution." As the subject of this 
sketch was only eight years old at the beginning of that memo- 
rable struggle. Colonel Jones obviously confounds the name of 
the historian with that of his father, James McCall, or of his 
uncle Hugh McCall, both of whom rendered valuable service 
in the Revolution. 

The following sketch of the McCall family was written in 
1829 by Thomas McCall, Esq., a brother of the historian, who 
lived on a plantation on the Oconee river near Dublin in Lau- 
rens county, Ga. 

"The family of which I am a descendant were Scots, and in 
Scotland lived in the neighborhood of the family of Calhoun, 
properly Calquhun. The time of their migration is not known, 



vi HUGH McCALL. 

but the McCall, Harris and Calhoun families passed over from 
Scotland in the same ship to the northeast of Ireland, where 
they settled and remained two entire generations, when the three 
families migrated to Pennsylvania, where my grandfather 
James McCall was married to Janet Harris, the elder daughter 
of James Harris, and settled, as a farmer, on Canacocheque 
creek, where my father James McCall, Agnes, Hugh and Rachel 
were born, the former on the llth of August, 1741. The three 
families removed from Canacocheque to New river, or little 
Kenhoway, in the western part of Virginia, where they re- 
mained for a number of years, and where Thomas McCall, Wm. 
McCall, and Jane (afterward married to Robert Harris) were 
born. The three families were driven away by the Indians after 
several of the Calhouns were killed. James Harris, my great- 
grandfather, remained on New river, and there died at the ad- 
vanced age of 110 years. His children were Janet McCall Rob- 
ertson, Isabell, Martha, and Wylly. James McCall, Robert 
Robertson and James Wylly settled in Mecklenburg county, 
North Carolina, where my father, James McCall, married Eliz- 
abeth, daughter of Thomas McCall, second cousin of my grand- 
father James McCall. John William and Patrick Calhoun re- 
moved into South Carolina and gave name to Calhoun's settle- 
ment on Little river, a branch of Long Cane. My grandfather 
James' family married in Mecklenburg, viz., my father James 
to Elizabeth McCall, Agnes to Elias Alexander, Rachel to 
Thomas McCall, son of Francis, a distant relation, not much 
liked by the family — ran away ; Thomas married Jane, daughter 
of Samuel Harris ; William married Elizabeth, daughter of Mat- 
thew Stewart ; and Jane married Robert, son of John Harris. 
My maternal grandmother was Margaret Greenfield — had two 
sisters, Esther and , the former married Andrew El- 
liott and the latter married James Barr. My grandfather James 
had a brother Thomas, who settled at Wilmington in Delaware, 
and I think another brother William, of whom I know nothing. 
James Harris, my great-grandfather, was related to the family 



HUGH McCALL. vii 

of Livingstons, which went from Scotland to Holland, removed 
from Holland to New York (New Netherlands) and there re- 
mained. My grandfather, Thomas McCall, had children; viz., 
Elizabeth mj mother, Margaret, Jane, Martha, and Ann and 
Mary who died in youth. Margaret married Thomas Harrison 
and had a number of children ; Jane married John Luckie and 
had a number of children; Martha married Samuel Nelson and 
had several children. I know not what became of her or them. 
None of my family were men of letters except Thomas my uncle, 
who when at college changed his name to Thomas Harris Mc- 
Caule. His posterity, Laird, Melinda Penelope, Leroy, Thomas 
1st, and 2nd, and Jane, all died without issue, except Melinda, 
who married William Finder and has two living children, viz., 
Thomas, and Jane who married Captain J. M. Russell, and later 
married Captain Phillips of Manchester, England, had a daugh- 
ter (Melinda) and died. My father's descendants were Thomas, 
Hugh, Janet, Margaret, James, Harris, Elizabeth and William 
— all dead but Thomas, Janet and Margaret. Thomas married 
Henrietta Fall in 1787, and their issue were Eliza Henrietta, 
died young; Selina Mary Ann, married to Virgil H. Vivien 
who has many children in Florida ; Louisa Freeman, married 
to George Gaines, has three children, and resides in Decatur 
county ; Thomas William and James, both dead ; and youngest 
still-born. He, in 1798, married Elizabeth Mary Ann Smith, 
by whom he had Sarah Georgiana, married to Colonel Spivey; 
Elizabeth Smith married to Doctor Thomas Moore; Harriet 
Moore, married to Major Mizell ; Margaret, died young ; Janet 
Harris married Ira Stanley ; Margaret Sanders, married Jere- 
miah H. Yopp, Esq. 

"Patrick Calhoun, father of John C. Calhoun, Vice-President 
of the United States, paid us a visit in 1794 or '93, and gave his 
benediction to three of my oldest children, and said to me ; 'This 
is the fifth generation of your family that I have had by the 
hand and have intimately known,' and mentioned to me several 
of the above circumstances. 



viii HUOH McCALL. 

"My father was an adviser in what was called the Regulation 
in North Carolina about the year 1768 or '69, and that was the 
real beginning of the American Revolution. He, in 1771 or 
1772, removed into the Calhoun settlement. South Carolina, and 
became an active officer in the Revolution. He was captain of 
minute men under the government in 1774, and rose in rank to 
that of colonel, and died of smallpox and a wound after having 
been in seventeen engagements against the enemy. Died in 
April, 1781. 

"I was born 19th of March, 1764, old style, which was prop- 
erly at the time 19th or 30th of March, 1765, new style, uncer- 
tain which day, as those old folks, all farmers, were not very 
learned and adhered to the old style and the old year for a num- 
ber of years after the beginning of the year was altered from 
25th of March to 1st of January." 

From these facts it appears that while Major Hugh McCall, 
the historian, was himself too young to take an active part in 
the Revolution, he lived amid the stirring scenes of that great 
struggle, and upon his youthful memory were indelibly stamped 
the dramatic records and traditions which he so faithfully de- 
scribes. 

But little is known of his early life, but when quite a young 
man he became interested in military affairs, and for a long 
time he was connected with the United States army. On May 
12th, 1794, he was ensign of the 3rd sub-legion, and May, 1796, 
he became first lieutenant. He was made deputy paymaster- 
general January 31st, 1800, and August of the same year, he 
was advanced to the position of captain. On the reorganization 
of the army, in 1802, he was retained in the second infantry, 
and on July 10th, 1812, he was breveted major. On July 15th, 
1815, he was mustered out of service. On March 31st, 1818, 
he became military storekeeper at Savannah and in May, 1821, 
he served in the same capacity at Charleston, South Carolina. 
For eighteen months he lived at Point Peter. From 1806 to 
1823, he was the jailer of Savannah, and it was during this 



HUGH McCALL. ix 

period that he wrote his History of Georgia. Many years before 
his death, his health failed and he became an invalid. He suf- 
fered much bodily pain, and when not actually confined to his 
bed, he had to use a roller chair to move about his room. 

This was not an age of books and official records and the ex- 
periences and traditions of those who actually took part in the 
War of the Revolution were fast fading from memory. It was 
fortunate, indeed, for Georgia's early history, that Major Hugh 
McCall, at this crisis, though suffering from a painful disease, 
and in the face of great difficulties, undertook to rescue from 
oblivion the history of his State, and fix in imperishable record 
the deeds of her distinguished sons. From his own notes and 
experiences, and from the lips of many of the chief actors of the 
scenes he portrays, his materials were taken, and with wonderful 
patience and fortitude he prepared for the press the first volume 
of the History of Georgia, which was published in 1811. In 
the preface he says : "The occurrences of a new country, when 
dressed in their best attire are not very engaging, and it is to be 
expected that many interesting facts have escaped the author's 
notice, owing to the limited scope of his researches, in conse- 
quence of his affliction under a portion of disease and decrepi- 
tude almost without a parallel in the history of human life," 

In 1816, he published the second volume of his History of 
Georgia, thus bringing down the record of the State to the end 
of the Revolution. 

While his History of Georgia is not free from legitimate 
criticism as to style and historic treatment, still it is of inesti- 
mable value in the preservation of many of the important facts 
upon which are based the writings of later historians. He did 
not attempt a finished production, but he collected the material 
for the future historian, and in estimating the value of his 
work we must bear in mind what Jared Sparks says of it : "The 
work has its merits, but its author labored under disadvantages, 
and his materials were scanty." 

Major McCall was never married, and his will, which is of 



X HUGH McCALL. 

record in the office of the Ordinary in Savannah, shows that he 
lived in moderate circumstances. After a lingering illness and 
years of bodily suffering, he died in Savannah June 10th, 1824, 
and was buried in the old Colonial Cemetery, now in the midst 
of the city. 

The only likeness of him in existence is an oil portrait in 
possession of the Georgia Historical Society at Savannah, from 
which the accompanying engraving is made. 

As the years go by, his valuable work is more and more appre- 
ciated, and for all time he will be known and honored as Geor- 
gia's first historian. Otis Ashmoke. 



THE 

HISTORY OF GEORGIA. 



CHAPTER I. 

IT is natural and right that we should feel a lively interest and 
concern in the lives and fortunes of our ancestors. When 
we behold them braving the horrors of the desert ; surmount- 
ing the difficulties of an inhospitable climate ; exploring forests 
infested with wild beasts, and surrounded by savages ; their 
courage and perseverance inspire ns with astonishment and ad- 
miration. We are pleased with a recital of the dangers they 
have escaped, and the difficulties they have encountered, in plan- 
ning and executing the establishment of a country, where we 
are now in the enjoyment of liberty, peace and plenty. These 
reflections, justly fill us with enthusiastic esteem, respect and 
affection, for the stock from which we have descended. 

From the best sources of information which can be resorted 
to at the present day, Sir Walter Raleigh is the reputed dis- 
coverer of that part of the United States, now denominated 
Georgia. This man, so greatly distinguished for his genius, 
courage, enterprise, and unmerited fate, under the government 
of a pusillanimous monarch, had been deeply interested in the 
adventures of his half brother. Sir Humphrey Gilbert ; and 
anxious to complete the discoveries which he had commenced, 
determined to prosecute them with vigor. Accordingly Sir 
Walter made ap^^lication to queen Elizabeth for a patent similar 
to the one granted to Gilbert, which was obtained on the 26th of 
March, 1584, to explore North-America, and take possession 
of such countries as he might discover; and on the 23d of April, 
he dispatched two ships under the command of captains Amadas 



2 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, ISSJf. 

and Barlow, for the purpose of visiting the countries of which 
he contemplated the future settlement. And to avoid the errors 
of Gilbert in shaping his course too far to the frozen regions 
of the I^orth, took the route by the West India Islands, and ap- 
proached the JSTorth American continent at the Gulf of Florida, 
from whence he coasted and occasionally touched the land, 
visiting and conversing with the natives, until they reached 
Pamplico sound on the borders of !N^orth-Carolina, thence along 
the coast northward, and returned to England in September ; 
reporting that he had discovered a fine country called Windang- 
ocoa, to which the queen gave the name of Virginia. It is 
doubted by some historians whether Sir Walter Raleigh accom- 
panied this expedition in person, or whether he ever visited 
JNTorth-America.* When James Edward Oglethorpe, the j^rin- 
cipal founder of the colony of Georgia, came over from Eng- 
land, it is said he brought with him Sir Walter Raleigh's writ- 
ten journal ; and by the latitude of Savannah and the tradi- 
tions of the natives, it appears that Sir Walter Raleigh landed 
at the mouth of Savannah River, and visited the bluif on which 
the city was afterwards built.f During his wild and chimerical 
attempts for finding El Dorado or the golden country, it is not 
improbable that this bold persevering adventurer, visited many 
places on the coast, of which we have no account. Having been 
stripped of the royal favor on the accession of king James, after 
the death of queen Elizabeth, of whom he was a favorite ; and 

* Burke of Virginia. 

t Extract of a letter published in a South-Carolina Gazette, dated Charles- 
ton, 22d of March, 1733. 

" Mr. Oglethorpe has with him, Sir Walter Raleigh's written journal, and 
by the latitude of the place, the marks and traditions of the Indians, it is 
the place where he first went on shore, and talked with the Indians, and 
was the first Englishman they ever saw; and about half a mile from 
Savannah is a high mount of earth under which lies their chief King: and 
the Indians informed Mr. Oglethorpe, that their King desired before he 
died, that he might be buried at the spot where he talked with that great 
good man." This extract was republished in a pamphlet, written by Benja- 
min Martyn, the trustees secretary. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1719. 3 

having been unjustly imprisoned under an unfounded charge 
of treason, by which he fell a victim to policy and not to justice ; 
therefore it is not improbable that such a series of persecutions 
occasioned the loss of memoranda, which would have been valu- 
able and interesting at the present day. 

When Mr. Oglethorpe communicated the contents of Sir Wal- 
ter's journal to the Indians in Georgia, they stated from tra- 
ditional communications handed down to them, that their 
fathers once held a conference with a warrior who came over 
the great waters, whose memory they had been taught to revere 
from the high opinion formed of him by their ancestors, and 
pointed out to Mr. Oglethorpe at a little distance from Yama- 
craw bluff, a high mound of earth where the Indian king was 
interred, who talked with the English warrior; he having de- 
sired to be buried where this conference was held. The reader 
must be left at liberty to draw his own conclusions. 

The State of Georgia was included in a patent granted to 
South-Carolina ; first as a proprietary government ; and in 1719, 
it became a regal one, bounded by the thirty-first and thirty- 
sixth degrees of north latitude. 

The policy of planting a new colony south of Savannah river, 
on principles essentially different from those by which South- 
Carolina was governed, was an object of great importance to 
that province. A jealousy had long existed between Great- 
Britain and Spain, respecting the boundaries of their settle- 
ments in Xorth and South America, in which those nations 
charged each other with unjust annoyance to trade between the 
mother countries and their colonies. The rapidity of population 
in ^orth- America, and its growth into commercial consequence, 
promised a rich source of traffic as well as maritime strength 
to England. Agriculture was the prime object, and the cul- 
ture of rice, which held up the most promising source of wealth, 
could not be carried on successfully without the assistance of 
Africans, whose constitutions seem formed by nature to bear 
the heat and exposure of a climate, most favorable for its pro- 



4 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1719-32. 

diiction. The colony of South-Carolina at that time was numer- 
ously stocked with negroes, who had been brought from Africa 
by British merchants, and sold to the planters, whose wealth 
was estimated almost exclusively by the number of their slaves. 
It was the interest of Spain to throw every possible obstacle 
in the way of the planters of the British colonies, and none 
promised to be more effectual than that of inveigling the negroes 
from the service of their owners, pointing out to them the happi- 
ness of freedom, and promising them all the privileges of his 
catholic majesty's subjects. In order that these allurements 
might be the more effectually accomplished, a black regiment 
was formed, consisting entirely of runaway slaves from Caro- 
lina. As there was no war then existing between the two na- 
tions, remonstrances were presented to the governor of Augus- 
tine, without having the desired effect. The boundaries be- 
tween the British provinces and Florida, had not been settled 
by any public agreement between England and Spain, neither 
were they marked or well understood. To prevent negroes es- 
caping from the Carolinas to Augustine, a fort was built on 
the Alatamaha river, and garrisoned. This gave offence to the 
governor of Augustine, who complained of it to the court of 
Madrid, as an encroachment on the dominions of his royal 
master. The Spanish embassador at London lodged the com- 
plaint before the court of Great-Britain, and demanded that 
orders should be sent to remove the troops, and demolish the 
fort. It was agreed that the governors of the respective nations 
in America, should meet in an amicable manner, and adjust 
the respective boundaries between the British and Spanish do- 
minions in that quarter ; accordingly Don Francisco Menandez, 
and Don Joseph De Robiero, in behalf of Spain, went to 
Charleston, to hold a conference on the subject, with the execu- 
tive officers of government. At this meeting, Arthur Middleton, 
president of the council, demonstrated to the Spanish deputies, 
that the fort against which complaint had been made, was built 
within the bounds of the charter granted to the proprietors ; 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1719-32. 5 

that the pretensions of Spain to the lands in question were 
groundless ; and that the fort in question was erected for the 
purpose of defending themselves and their property, against 
the depredations of the Indians, under the jurisdiction of Spain ; 
and begged to know the reasons why his catholic majesty's gov- 
ernor, in Florida, protected felons and debtors that fled to them ; 
and why negroes were encouraged to leave their masters' service, 
and take refuge in Augustine ? The deputies replied, that the 
governor of Florida would deliver up all felons and debtors ; 
but that he had express orders of twenty years standing, to de- 
tain all slaves who should fly to St. Augustine for liberty and 
protection, and that the design of his royal master was the 
exercise of humanity, and a disposition to convert them to the 
christian religion; and that the king had ordered compensa- 
tion to be made to the owners of runaway slaves, in money, 
which, however, was seldom or never complied with. The ne- 
gociation ended unsatisfactorily to both parties, the fort was 
soon after burned down, and the southern frontier of South- 
Carolina was again left exposed and defenceless. 

The principal object of Spain in possessing the coast north 
of the Mississippi, was to secure the Indian trade brought down 
that river, as well as those north of it. The coast was garrisoned 
with troops, and agriculture was but little attended to. Spain 
justified herself in these acts of aggression, on the common 
right of all the human race to freedom. The colonists in re- 
turn claimed a right to the labour of slaves, for whom they had 
paid a price equal to the value of their services, and urged 
that their condition in that capacity was greatly ameliorated, 
by bringing them from a country where wretchedness, misery 
and want, were the common lot of the whole race. In this di- 
versity of opinion held out by two nations, separated but a 
short distance from each other, it is easily perceived that dis- 
cord would soon kindle into hostility. Anxious for the adop- 
tion of some plan by which Carolinians would be relieved from 
an evil from which they foresaw the destruction of their colony, 



6 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1719-32. 

they readily encouraged the planting of another between them 
and their troublesome neighbours in Florida. With these views 
they held out the advantages of forming a new colony between 
Savannah and the Alatamaha rivers, and encouraged the forma- 
tion of a company in England, consisting of men of wealth, in- 
fluence, and respectability, who were willing to embark in the 
humane desig-n of sending over a number of poor people who 
had neither lands, or other means of supporting themselves and 
families: accordingly twenty-one persons petitioned the throne, 
and on the 9th of June 1732, obtained a charter* for a sepa- 
rate and distinct province from Carolina, between the Savannah 
and Alatamaha rivers, by the name of Georgia, in honor of the 
king by whom this charter was granted. 

His majesty George the second by his letters patent, recited 
amongst other things, that many of his poor subjects were 
through misfortunes and want of employment, reduced to great 
necessities, and would be glad to be settled in any of his ma- 
jesty's provinces in America, where by cultivating the waste 
and desolate lands, they might not only gain a comfortable sub- 
sistence, but also strengthen his majesty's colonies and increase 
the trade, navigation and wealth of his majesty's realms ; and 
that the province of North America had been frequently rav- 
aged by Indian enemies, more especially that of South-Caro- 
lina, whose southern frontier continued unsettled and lay open 
to the neighboring savages ; and that to relieve the wants of the 
said poor people and to protect his majesty's subjects in South- 
Carolina, a regular colony of the said poor people should be 
settled and established on the southern frontiers of Carolina; 
did for the considerations aforesaid, constitute a corj^oration 
by the name of the Trustees for establishing the colony of 
Georgia, in America. The king's trusty and well beloved John 
Lord Viscount Purcival, Edward Digby, George Carpenter, 
James Oglethorpe, George Heathcote, John Laroche, James 
Vernon, William Beletha, Stephen Hales, Thomas Tower, Eob- 

* See appendix No. 1. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 7 

ert Moore, Eobert Hiieks, Tfoger Holland, William Sloper, 
Francis Evles, John Burton, Eichard Bandy, Arthur Brad- 
ford, Samuel Smith, Adam Anderson and Thomas Coram, 
Esq'rs. and such other members as might thereafter be ap- 
pointed ; were vested with powers to purchase and take lands, 
to sue, and be sued, to have a common seal, and to choose mem- 
bers of the said corporation on the third Thursday in March 
yearly, with restraining clauses. That no inember of the said 
corporation should have any salary, perquisites, fee, benefit or 
profit whatsoever for acting therein, or have any ofiice, place 
or employment of profit under said corporation ; with a direc- 
tion for the said corporation every year to lay an account in 
writing before the lord chancellor, chief justice of the king's 
bench, master of the rolls, chief justice of the common pleas, 
and chief baron of the exchequer, or any two of them, of all 
monies or effects by them received or expended for carrying 
on the good purposes aforesaid, with a power to make by-laws, 
constitutions, orders and ordinances ; and granted amongst 
other things to the said corporation and their successors, under 
the reservations therein mentioned, seven undivided parts (the 
whole into eight equal parts to be divided) of all those lands, 
countries and territories, situate, lying and being in that part 
of South-Carolina in America, which lies from the most north- 
ern stream of a river there commonly called Savannah, all along 
the sea coast to the southward, unto the most southern stream of 
a certain other great water or river called the Alatamaha, and 
westward from the heads of said rivers respectively in direct 
lines to the south seas; to have and to hold the same, to them 
the said corporation and their successors forever, for the better 
support of the said colony under the yearly rent of four shillings 
proclamation money of South-Carolina, for every hundred 
acres of the said lands, forever ; which the said corporation 
should grant, demise, plant or settle, but not to commence until 
ten years after such grant, demise, planting or settling: and 
erected and created the said lands, countries, and territories 



8 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 

into one independent and separate province bv the name of 
Georgia, and made the inhabitants who should reside therein, 
free and not subject to any laws, orders, statutes, or constitu- 
tions of South-Carolina, except the commander in chief of the 
militia ; and authorised the said corporation for the term of 
twenty-one years from the date of the said letters patent, to 
form and prepare laws, statutes and ordinances for the gov- 
ernment of the said colony, not repugnant to the laws and stat- 
utes of England, to be presented under their common seal to his 
majesty in council, for his approbation or disallowance: and 
that the said laws so approved of, should be in full force and 
virtue within the said province: and empowered the common 
council for the time being of the said corporation, or the major 
part of them, to dispose of, expend and apply, all the monies 
and effects belonging to the said corporation, and to make con- 
tracts for carrying and effecting the good purposes therein in- 
tended : and that they should from time to time appoint a treas- 
urer, and such other officers, minsters and servants of the said 
corporation, as they should see proper, for the good manage- 
ment of their affairs, and at their pleasure, to remove them and 
appoint others in their stead ; and that they should appoint rea- 
sonable salaries, perquisites and other rewards, for their labor 
or services ; and that such officers should be sworn before they 
act, for the faithful and due execution of their respective offices 
and places ; and declared, that the treasurer and secretary for 
the time being, should be incapable of being members of the 
said corporation; and granted to the said corporation that it 
should be lawful for them, their officers and agents, to trans- 
port and convey into the said province, such of his majesty's 
subjects and foreigners, as were willing to go and inhabit and 
reside there; and declared all persons born within the said 
province, and their children and posterity, to be free denizens, 
as if they had been born within any of his majesty's domin- 
ions. And empowered the said common council, in the name 
of the corporation, and under their common seal, to distribute, 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 9 

convey and assign, and set over such particular portions of 
the said lands, tenements and hereditaments, unto such of his 
majesty's subjects, and others, willing to live in the said colony, 
upon such terms, and for such estates, and upon such rents, 
reservations and conditions, as the same might lawfully be 
granted ; and as to the said common council, or the major part 
of them, should seem fit and proper ; provided that no grant 
should be made of any part of the said lands, unto, or in trust 
for, or for the benefit of any member of the said corporation: 
and that no greater quantity of the said lands be granted either 
entirely or in parcels, to, or to the use of, or in trust for any 
one person, than five hundred acres ; and declared that all grants 
made contrary to the true intent and meaning thereof, should 
be absolutely null and void. And granted, that the said corpo- 
ration for the term of twenty-one years from the date of the 
letters patent, should have powers to erect and constitute judi- 
catures and courts of record, or other courts, to be held in his 
majesty's name, for the hearing and determining of all manner 
of crimes, offences, pleas, processes, plaints, actions, matters, 
causes and things whatsoever, arising or happening within the 
said province, or between persons inhabiting or residing there, 
and for awarding and making out executions thereupon ; and 
directed the said corporation to register or cause to be regis- 
tered, all leases, grants, plantings, conveyances, settlements 
and improvements whatsoever, as should at any time be made 
of any lands, tenements or hereditaments, within the said 
province ; and yearly transmit authentic accounts thereof, unto 
the auditor of the plantations, or his deputy, and to the sur- 
veyor of South-Carolina, to inspect and survey the same, to as- 
certain the quit-rents that should become due according to the 
reservation before mentioned; but not to have, or take any 
gratuity, fee or reward, for such survey or inspection, on for- 
feiture of their ofiices ; with a proviso that all leases, grants or 
conveyances, to be made of any lands within the said province, 
or a memorial containina; the substance or effect thereof, should 



iO HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 

be registered with the auditor of the plantations, within one 
year from the date thereof; otherwise that the same should be 
void. And directed, that all rents, issues or profits, which 
should come to the said corporation, issuing or arising out of, 
or from the said province, should be applied in such manner 
as would most imjDrove and enlarge the said colony, and best 
answer the good purposes therein mentioned, and for defray- 
ing all other charges about the same ; and directed the said 
corporation from time to time, to give in to one of the secre- 
taries of state, and to the commissioners of trade and planta- 
tions, accounts of the progress of the said colony. And di- 
rected, that the said common council should from time to time, 
for the said term of twenty-one years from the date of the said 
letters patent, have power to appoint all such governors, judges, 
magistrates, ministers and officers, civil and military, both by 
sea and land, within the said district, as they should think fit 
and needful for the government of the said colony, except such 
officers as should be appointed for managing, collecting and 
receiving such of his majesty's revenues as should arise within 
the said province, with a proviso, that every governor so ap- 
pointed, should be approved by his majesty, and qualify him- 
self, as often as governors in America, are by law required to 
do, and give security for observing the acts of parliament re- 
lating to trade and navigation ; and obeying all instruction from 
his majesty or any acting under his authority, pursuant to the 
said acts. And granted, that the said corporation, for the said 
term of twenty-one years, from the date of the said letters pat- 
ent, should have power by any commander or other officer for 
that purpose appointed, to train, instruct, exercise and govern 
the militia, for the special defence and safety of the said colony ; 
to assemble in martial array, and put in war-like posture, the 
inhabitants of the said colony ; and in time of actual war, in- 
vasion or rebellion, to use and exercise the law martial, and 
also to erect forts, and fortify any place or places within the 
said colony, and the same to furnish with all necessary ammu- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 11 

nition, provision and stores of war for offence and defence, and 
from time to time to commit the custody and government of 
them to such person or persons, as to them should seem meet ; 
declaring that the governor or commander in chief of South- 
Carolina, should have the chief command of the militia of Geor- 
gia, and that thev should observe his orders. And granted, 
that the said corporation should have power to import or export 
their goods, at or from any port or ports that should be ap- 
pointed by his majesty within the said province for that pur- 
pose, without being obliged to touch at any other port in Caro- 
lina. And declared, that after the end of the said twenty-one 
years, such form of government and method of making laws, 
statutes and ordinances for the government of the said province 
and its inhabitants, should be observed and established within 
the same, as his majesty, his heirs and successors should ordain 
and appoint, and should be agreeable to law; and that after the 
end of the said twenty-one years, the governor and all officers, 
civil and military, within the said province, should be ap- 
pointed by his majesty, his heirs and successors. 

In pursuance of this charter, the trustees (of whom lord 
Purcival was president) met in London about the middle of 
July, .for the purpose of fixing on some fit person to superin- 
tend the settlement of the colony, and to establish rules for its 
government: and in order to fulfill the intents and purposes 
therein expressed, it was thought necessary for the trustees to 
send over such poor people and foreign protestants, as were 
willing to live in Georgia, not only to cultivate the lands, but 
at the same time to strengthen the other colonies. The inhabi- 
tants were to be considered as planters and soldiers, and were 
provided with arms for their defence, as well as tools for culti- 
vation ; and a due portion of attention was occasionally to be 
turned to the exercise of both. Towns were to be laid out for 
their settlements, and lands allotted to each of them for their 
maintenance as near to these towns as convenient, that they 
might never have occasion to be too far distant from their 



12 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 

towns, which were to be regarded as their garrisons, so that each 
man might reach his post of defence at short notice, in case 
of emergency. As the military strength of the province was 
particularly to be taken care of, it was deemed necessary to 
establish such tenures of lands as might most eif actually pre- 
serve the number of planters, or soldiers, equal to the number 
of lots of land within a narrow compass ; therefore each lot of 
land was to be considered as a military fief, and to contain so 
much in quantity as should be deemed equal to the support of 
a planter and his family — fifty acres were judged sufficient, 
and not too much for that purpose, and provision was made to 
prevent an accumulation of several lots into the claim or pos- 
session of any one person, lest the garrison should be lessened 
and the defence weakened ; and likewise to prevent a division 
of these lots into smaller parcels, since each lot when entire, was 
deemed no more than sufficient for one planter, but if sub- 
divided, would be too scanty for a subsistence, and become 
useless. 

In the infancy of the colony, the lands were to be granted in 
tail male, in preference to any other tenure, as the most likely 
to answer these purposes ; for if the grants were to be made in 
tail general, it was thought that the strength of each township 
would soon be diminished, in as much as every female heir in 
tail, who was unmarried, would have been entitled to one lot, 
and consequently have taken from the garrison the portion of 
one soldier ; and by intermarriages, several lots might have been 
united into one; and if such tenant in tail general, had several 
daughters, his lot must haA^e been divided equally amongst them 
as coparceners. Other inconveniences were thought likely to 
arise from estates in tail general : women being incapable of 
acting as soldiers, or serving on juries ; these duties and many 
others, such as watchings, wardings, &c., would return so much 
oftener to each man, in proportion as the number of men in 
the township was lessened, and by that means become very 
burthen some to the remaining male lot holders ; and in case of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 13 

an attack from an enemy, the township would be less able to 
make a defence; and as it was not thought proper to grant 
estates in tail general, it appeared to be more inconvenient to 
grant them in fee simple, which estate would have been attended 
with all the objections before mentioned, incident to estates in 
tail general. The right of alienation being inseparable from 
any estate in fee, the grantee might have sold, mortgaged, or 
aliened his lands to whomsoever he thought fit, which was a 
power not to be intrusted with the people sent over, for the fol- 
lowing reasons : 

1st. From a consideration of their condition. 
2d. From a consideration of the purposes for which they 
were sent. 

3d. From a consideration of the persons to whom lands might 
be aliened. — And 

4th. From a consideration that it might occasion a monopoly 
of lands contrary to the true intent and meaning of the charter. 
As to the first ; the persons to be sent over were poor indigent 
people, who had for the most part, so indiscreetly managed 
what they had previously been the owners of, that it did not 
seem safe or proper to entrust so absolute a property in their 
hands, at least in the infancy of the colony ; until by a careful 
and industrious deportment, they had given some evidences to 
induce a belief that they would prove more judicious and dis- 
creet managers for the future. 

As to the second; they were sent over to inhabit, cultivate 
and secure by a personal residence, the lands granted to them 
within the province; and they voluntarily engaging so to do, 
and in expectation that they would perform these engagements, 
they were to be maintained at the expense of the public, or the 
trustees, during their voyage, and their passages paid, and were 
provided with tools, arms, seeds, and other necessaries, and sup- 
ported from the public store ; for which reasons the public may 
be said to have purchased these people for a valuable considera- 
tion. Their personal residence and all the industry and labor 



14 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 

they would bestow in the cultivation of the province, for a con- 
siderable time, would not compensate the public and the pro- 
prietors for their expenses. 

As to the third ; it was thought unsafe to grant them such an 
estate, as it might be the means of introducing such sort of 
people as would defeat what the trustees had always at heart, 
viz. the preservation of the protestant religion in that province, 
which was necessary to be taken care of, both on a j^olitical and 
religious account ; the French lying on the west, and the Span- 
iards on the south of the province of Georgia. 

As to the fourth; a monopoly of several lots into one hand 
would necessarily have been the consequence of a free liberty 
of buying and selling lands within the province, which would 
have been directly contrary to the objects, intent and meaning 
of the charter, whereby the grant of lands to any one person, is 
limited to five hundred acres. 

And a further inconvenience seemed likely to arise in every 
case, where the tenant in fee died without issue, or without 
having disposed of his lot by will ; the heir general who might 
have the right to it, might not happen to be found out for many 
years after, especially if he was a foreign protestant, and in 
that time the buildings and improvements might fall into ruins, 
to the great damage and inconvenience of the adjoining lot- 
holders. These restraints were intended for the good of the 
whole, and whenever particular cases required it, they were to 
be taken off and dispensed with: and upon any application for 
leave to alienate lands, licenses were always to be granted under 
certain restrictions for that purpose; and when the succession 
of females became less dangerous to the province, by the grow- 
ing strength and increase of the people, and by the security pro- 
vided for it by his majesty's forces, the trustees resolved then, 
to enlarge the tenures of the lands to estates in tail general. 

The tenures being thus settled, it was thought necessary to 
require of the inhabitants, that they should cultivate their lands 
within such given time as should be specified in their grants ; 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 15 

and in order to raise raw silk, which was contemplated as one 
of the principal objects of attention, a certain proportion of 
white mulberry trees were to be planted, and in their respective 
grants, ten years were to be allowed for the cultivation, and 
one hundred white mulberry trees were to be planted on every 
ten acres of land when cleared ; with a power vested in the 
trustees to re-enter such lands as should remain uncultivated. 
And as other persons applied to the trustees for grants of land, 
in order to come over and settle at their own expense, particular 
grants were made under the same tenure, and on the following 
conditions ; viz. that they should within twelve months from 
the date of their grants, go to and arrive in Georgia, with one 
man servant for every fifty acres granted them, and should with 
such servants abide, settle, inhabit and continue there for three 
years: that they should within ten years, clear and cultivate 
one-fifth part of the land granted them; and within the next 
ten years, clear and cultivate three-fifth parts more of the said 
lands, and plant one thousand white mulberry trees upon every 
one hundred acres thereof when cleared ; and that they should 
not at any time hire, keep, lodge, board or employ any negro 
within the colony of Georgia, on any conditions whatsoever, 
without special leave from the trustees: which conditions were 
readily approved of, and counterparts executed by all such as 
chose to become adventurers ; and to those who desired to name 
their successors on failure of male issue, special covenants were 
entered into by the trustees for that purpose, agreeable to their 
own propositions ; and by way of encouragement to their male 
servants to behave well, like covenants were entered into, to 
grant to every such man servant, when requested thereunto by 
any writing under the hand and seal of the master, twenty acres 
of land under the same tenure. 

In the execution of this laudable plan, the trustees having 
first set the example themselves, by largely contributing towards 
the scheme, undertook to solicit benefactions from others, and 
to apply the money towards clothing, arming, purchasing uten- 



16 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732, 

sils for cultivation, and transporting such poor people as should 
consent to go over and begin a settlement. They did not confine 
their views to the subjects of Great-Britain alone, but wisely 
and humanely opened a door also, for oppressed and indigent 
protestants from other nations. To prevent any misapplica- 
tion or abuse of the charitable donations, they agreed to de- 
posit the money in the bank of England, and to enter in a book 
to be kept, for that purpose, the names of all the charitable 
benefactors, together with the sums contributed by each of 
them ; and to bind and oblige themselves, and their successors 
in office, to lay a statement of the money received and ex- 
pended, before the lord chancellor of England, the lords chief 
justices of the king's bench and common pleas, the master of 
the rolls, and the lord chief baron of the exchequor. 

When this scheme of the trustees with respect to the settle- 
ment of Georgia, was made public, the well wishers of mankind 
in every part of Great-Britain, highly approved of an under- 
taking so humane and disinterested. To consult the public 
happiness, regardless of private interest, and to stretch forth 
a bountiful hand for the relief of their distressed fellow- 
creatures, were considered as examples of uncommon benev- 
olence and virtue ; therefore worthy of general imitation. The 
ancient Romans, famous for their courage and magnanimity, 
ranked the planting of colonies amongst their noblest works, 
which added greater lustre to their empire, than the most glori- 
ous wars and victories. By the latter, old cities and countries 
were plundered and destroyed ; by the former, new ones were 
founded and established: the latter ravaged the dominions of 
enemies, and depopulated the world; the former improved 
new territories, provided for unfortunate friends, and added 
strength to the state. The benevolent founders of the colony 
of Georgia, perhaps may challenge the annals of any nation, 
to produce a design more generous and praise-worthy than the 
one which they had undertaken. They voluntarily offered 
their money, labor and time, for promoting what appeared to 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 17 

them, the good of others, leaving themselves no other revrard, 
than the gratification arising from virtuous actions. Amongst 
other great ends which they had in view, was the civilization 
of the savages : if their regulations were not effectual in ac- 
complishing the laudable purposes they had in contemplation; 
if their plan of settlement proved too narrow and circum- 
scribed, they are nevertheless, entitled to all the credit due to 
their praise-worthy intentions, and disinterested motives. In 
conformity with the charter, a common seal was ordered to be 
made; the device was, on one side, two figures resting upon 
urns, representing the rivers AlatamaJia and Savannah, the 
north-eastern and south-western boundaries of the province; 
between them the genius of the colony was seated, with a cap 
of liberty on her head, a spear in one hand, and a cornucopia in 
the other, with the inscription, colonia geokgia aug: on the 
other side was a representation of silk worms, some beginning 
and others having finished their webbs, with the motto, non 
siBi SED ALUS ; a very proper emblem, signifying that the 
nature of the establishment was such, that neither the first trus- 
tees, nor their successors, could have any views to their own 
interest, it being entirely designed for the benefit and happi- 
ness of others. The intentions of the trustees, principally, in 
forming this colony, were to provide for poor people, who were 
incapable of subsisting themselves and families in Europe, and 
to settle a frontier to South-Carolina, which was much exposed 
by the small number of its white inhabitants ; it was therefore 
determined to prohibit the use of negro slaves: it was also 
thought impossible that the poor who should be sent from hence, 
and the foreign persecuted protestants, who must go in a man- 
ner naked into the colony, could be able to purchase or subsist 
negroes if they had them, and that it would be a charge too 
great for the trustees to undertake ; and they would thereby be 
disabled from sending white people, whose habits they intended 
to change to industry. The first cost of a negro would be about 
thirty pounds sterling, and this sum would be sufficient to pay 
2 



18 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 

the passage over, provide tools and other necessaries, and de- 
fray the other charges and subsistence of a white man for one 
year; in which time it might be hoped that the planters own 
labor would produce him some subsistence; consequently the 
purchase money of every negro, abstracting the expense of sub- 
sisting him as well as his master, by being applied that way. 
would prevent the sending over a white man, who would be a 
security to the province; whereas the negro would render that 
security more precarious. It was thought the white man, by 
having a negro slave, would be less disposed to labor himself, 
and that a great portion of his time would be employed in keep- 
ing the negro at work, and in watching against any danger he 
or his family might apprehend from the slave; and that the 
planter's wife and children would by the decease or absence 
of the husband, be at the mercy of the negro. It was also ap- 
prehended that the Spaniards at Augustine, would be con- 
tinually inveigling away their negroes and encouraging them 
to insurrections. That the first might be easily accomplished, 
has been confirmed in many instances in Carolina, and an asy- 
lum furnished by the Spaniards in times of profound peace ; 
and insurrections had been excited from the same source to the 
great terror of the people, and even endangered the loss of the 
province, though it had been established so many years. The 
white population was scarcely equal to a secure defence against 
internal invasion. It was also calculated that the sort of pro- 
duce designed to be attended to in the colony, would not require 
such labor as to make the assistance of negroes necessary: the 
produce of Carolina was chiefly rice, consequently required 
the labor of that description of people, to make it profitable ; 
whereas the silk and other products, intended by the trustees, 
to be encouraged in Georgia, were of that light kind of work, 
where poor women and children might be usefully and ad- 
vantageously employed. It was also apprehended that if the 
persons who would go over to Georgia at their own expense, 
were permitted to own negroes, it would dispirit and ruin the 
poor people who could not purchase them, and who by their 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 19 

numbers, were intended to give strength to the province. That 
upon the admission of negroes, the wealthy planters would, as 
in other colonies, be induced to absent themselves to more pleas- 
ant places of residence, leaving the care of their plantations 
and negroes to overseers ; that the poor planter sent on charity, 
from a desire to have slaves as well as those who settled at their 
own expense ; if leave w^as given to alienate, and mortgage his 
land to the negro merchant for the eventual payment, or at 
least become a debtor for the purchase of negroes ; and under 
these weights and discouragements would be induced to sell 
his slaves again upon any necessity, and would leave the prov- 
ince and his lot to his creditors ; consequently all his property 
would be swallowed up and himself ruined. The admission 
of negroes in Georgia, would also facilitate the desertion of 
Carolina slaves, and instead of proving a frontier, would pro- 
mote the evil which was intended to be checked, and give 
strength to the Spanish force at Augustine. In fine, it was the 
intention of the trustees, to people the new colony with indus- 
trious farmers, who should by their example, bring up their 
children in the same habits. The introduction of negroes 
would increase a propensity for idleness among the poor 
planters and their families, contrary to the fundamental prin- 
ciples of their charter and constitution. 

When the trustees had made these dispositions and arrange- 
ments, and were enabled by benefactions from several private 
persons; on the 3d of October, 1732, it was resolved to send 
over one hundred and fourteen persons, men, women and chil- 
dren, being such as were in decayed circumstances, and thereby 
disabled from following any business in England, and who if in 
debt, had leave from their creditors to go, and such as were 
recommended by the minister, church wardens, and overseers 
of their respective parishes. James Edward Oglethorpe, es- 
quire, one of the trustees, accompanied them at his own ex- 
pense, for the jiurpose of forming the settlement. On the 24th 
of the same month, the people were all questioned, whether any 
of them had any objections to the terms and conditions pro- 



20 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1732. 

posed: four of them desired that their daughters might inherit 
as well as their sons, and that the widow's dower might be 
considered. The trustees resolved, that every person who 
should desire it, should have the privilege of naming a suc- 
cessor to the lands granted to them, who in case they should 
die without male issue, should hold the same to them and their 
male heirs forever ; and that the widows should have their thirds 
as in England ; with which resolutions the people being made 
acquainted, were well satisfied, and executed articles under 
their hands and seals, testifying their consent thereto, which 
agreements were deposited in the office of the trustees. 

The trustees prepared forms of government, agreeably to 
the powers given them by the charter. They established under 
their seal, a court of judicature for trying criminal and civil 
causes, by the name and stile of the town court. They also 
appointed magistrates, bailiffs, a recorder, constables and 
tithing-men. 

On the 16th of l^Tovember, 1732, the reverend Mr. Herbert, 
a clergyman of the Church of England, and a man from 
Piedmont, engaged by the trustees to instruct the people in 
the art of winding silk, and one hundred and fourteen persons, 
embarked on board of the ship Anne, captain Thomas. Sev- 
eral of the trustees went to Gravesend, for the purpose of as- 
certaining whether they were well accommodated and provided 
for, and left them well satisfied. At the time of their em- 
barkation, five thousand acres of land were granted to three 
of the colonists, in trust for them or their survivors ; to make 
grants from time to time to every man of twenty years of age 
or upwards, who might afterwards arrive in Georgia ; to be 
divided into fifty acre lots, on the terms heretofore specified. 
Having everything furnished them by the corporation, which 
was requisite for building and cultivation, and having nothing 
to risque but what arose from a change of climate, they could 
not properly be called adventurers. Mr. Oglethorpe was 
clothed with power to exercise the functions of a governor over 
the new colony, and proved a zealous and active promoter of 
the settlement. 



CHAPTER II. 

ON the 13th of January, 1733, the ship Anne arrived in 
Charleston, where Oglethorpe and his party were re- 
ceived with the greatest hospitality by the governor 
and council. Governor Johnson, sensible of the great ad- 
vantages that must accrue to Carolina from this new colony, 
gave all the encouragement and assistance in his power to for- 
ward the settlement. Many of the Carolinians sent them pro- 
visions ; also hogs and cattle to begin their stock. William 
Bull and Jonathan Bryan, men of knowledge and experience, 
accompanied Oglethorpe, and the rangers and scout boats were 
ordered to attend them to Georgia. The general assembly on 
the motion of governor Johnson, voted that Oglethorpe should 
be furnished at the public expense with one hundred and four^ 
head of breeding cattle, twenty-five hogs and twenty barrels 
of rice ; and sent boats to carry these supplies to Savannah. 
Some scout boats were also ordered with a body of rangers, to 
protect the adventurers from the insults of the natives, while 
they were preparing houses and fortifications, to defend them- 
selves. Oglethorpe had written to the trustees, informing them 
of his safe arrival in Charleston, with the loss of only two chil- 
dren at sea. After they had landed at Yamacraw bluff, Ogle- 
thorpe, Bryan and Bull, explored the country, and having 
found this high spot of ground, situated on a navigable river 
well suited for the purpose, they fixed on it as the most con- 
venient and healthy situation for the settlers. On this hill 
he marked out a town, and from the Indian name of the river, J 
which run past it, called it Savannah. 

The following letter was wi-itten by governor Oglethorpe, 
to the trustees in London: 



22 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1733. 

"From the camp near Savannah, the 10th February, 1733. 
"gentlemen, 

"I GAVE you an account in my last, of our arrival in 
Charles-town. The gov^ernor and assembly have given us all 
possible encouragement. Our people arrived at Beaufort on 
the 20th of January, where I lodged them in some new bar- 
racks built for the soldiers, whilst I went myself to view the 
Savannah river; I fixed upon a healthy situation about ten 
miles from the sea. The river here forms an half moon, along 
the south side of which the banks are about forty feet high, and 
on the top a flat, which they call a bluff. The plain high 
ground extends into the country about five or six miles, and 
along the river side about a mile. Ships that draw twelve feet 
water can ride within ten yards of the bank. Upon the river 
side in the centre of this plain, I have laid out the town, op- 
posite to which is an island of very rich pasturage, which I 
think should be kept for the trustees cattle. The river is pretty 
wide, the water fresh, and from the key of the town you see 
its whole course to the sea, with the island of Tybee, which 
forms the mouth of the river. For about six miles up into the 
country the landscape is very agreeable, the stream being 
wide, and bordered with high woods on both sides. The whole 
people arrived here on the first of February ; at night their 
tents were got up. 'Till the 10th we were taken up in unloading 
and making a crane which I then could not get finished, so 
took off the hands and set some to the fortification and began 
to fell the woods. I have marked out the town and common, 
half of the former is already cleared, and the first house was 
begun yesterday in the afternoon. A little Indian nation the 
only one within fifty miles, is not only in amity, but desirous 
to be subjects to his majesty king George, to have lands given 
them among us, and to breed their children at our schools ; their 
chief and his beloved man, who is the second man in the 
nation, desire to be instructed in the christian religion." 
I am gentlemen, &c. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1733. 23 

On the 20th of the same month, governor Oglethorpe wrote 
another letter to the trustees, of which the following is an ex- 
tract : 

"OUR people are all in perfect health ; I chose the situation 
for the town upon an high ground forty feet perpendicular 
above high water mark ; the soil, dry and sandy ; the water of 
the river, fresh, and springs coming out of the side of the hill. 
I pitched upon this place not only for the pleasantness of the 
situation, but because, from the above mentioned and other 
signs, I thought it healthy ; for it is sheltered from the western 
and southern winds, (the worst in this country) by vast woods 
of pine trees, many of which are an hundred, and few under 
seventy feet high. There is no moss on the trees, though in 
most parts of Carolina they are covered with it, and it hangs 
down two or three feet from them. The last and fullest con- 
viction of the healthiness of the place, was, that an Indian 
nation who knew the nature of this country chose it for their 
situation." 

When his excellency gave this account of the moss, he had 
not extended his travels into the swamps of Georgia, nor had 
the period of his residence given him an opportunity of judging 
correctly of the most unhealthy winds. A small fort was 
erected on the bank of Savannah river, as a place of refuge, and 
some guns were mounted on it for the defence of the colony. 
The people were employed in falling trees and building huts, 
and Oglethorpe animated and encouraged them, by the exposure 
of his person to all the hardships which the poor objects of 
his compassion endured : he formed them into a company of 
militia, appointed officers, and furnished them with arms and 
ammunition. To show the Indians how expert they were in 
the use of arms, he frequently exercised them ; and as they 
had been disciplined beforehand by the sergeants of the guards 
in London, they performed the manual exercise, little inferior 
to the regular troops. Having put his colony in the best pos- 



24 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1733. 

sible situation for comfort and defence, the next object of his 
attention was, to treat with the natives for a share of their 
landed possessions. — The principal tribe that at this time oc- 
cupied the territory of which he wished to gain possession, were 
the upper and lower Creeks ; the former were numerous and 
strong, the latter, by disease and war, had been reduced to a 
small number: both tribes together were computed at about 
twenty-five thousand men, women and children. These In- 
dians, according to a treaty formerly made with governor 
I^icolson, laid claim to the lands lying south-west of Savannah 
river, and to procure their friendship for this infant colony, 
was an object of the highest consequence. But as the tribe set- 
tled at Yamacraw was inconsiderable, Oglethorpe judged it 
expedient to have the other tribes also, to join with them in the 
treaty. To accomplish this union, he found an Indian, or 
rather half breed woman, named Mary, who had married a 
trader from Carolina, by the name of Musgrove, and who 
could speak both the English and Creek languages: perceiving 
that she had some influence amongst the Indians, and might 
be made useful as an interpreter in forming treaties of alliance 
with them, he first purchased her friendship with presents, and 
then allowed her a salary of one hundred pounds a year as a 
reward for her services. By her assistance he summoned a 
pretty general meeting of the chiefs, to hold a congress with 
him at Savannah, in order to procure their consent to the peace- 
able settlement of his colony. At this congress, when fifty 
chiefs were present, Oglethorpe represented to them the gi-eat 
power, wisdom and wealth of the English nation, and the many 
advantages that would accrue to the Indians in general, from 
a connection and friendship with them ; and as they had plenty 
of lands, he hoped they would freely resign a share of them 
to his people, who were come to settle amongst them, for their 
benefit and instruction. After having distributed some pres- 
ents, which was then considered as a necessary j)reliminary 
to a treaty* of peace and friendship, an agreement was entered 

*See appendix No. 2. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1733. 25 

into, and Tomochichi, in the name of the Creek nation, ad- 
dressed him with the following speech: 

''Here is a little present ; I give you a buff aloe's skin adorned 
on the inside with the head and feathers of an eagle, which I 
desire you to accept, because the eagle is an emblem of speed, 
and the buifaloe of strength: the English are swift as the bird, 
and strong as the beast, since like the former, they flew over 
vast seas to the uttermost parts of the earth; and like the lat- 
ter, they are so strong that nothing can withstand them: the 
feathers of the eagle are soft, and signify love; the buffaloe's 
skin is warm, and signifies protection ; therefore, I hope the 
English will love and jDrotect their little families." 

Oglethorpe accepted the present, a treaty was concluded to 
the satisfaction of both parties, the colonists apj)eared satisfied 
with their condition, and every thing seemed to promise pros- 
perity to the new colony. 

When Oglethorpe came over from England he was not vested 
with full 2)owers, consequently the ratification of the treaty 
was to be made in England. Soon after his arrival he sent 
runners to the different towns, and invited a convention of the 
kings and chiefs of the Creek nation, and entered into a treaty 
of amity and commerce with them, making a transfer of the 
whole nation and all their lands, and agreeing to live under 
and become the subjects of his majesty's government in com- 
mon with the white colonists of Georgia. It was further stipu- 
lated that a free and complete right and title, was granted to 
the trustees for all the lands between Savannah and Alatamaha 
rivers, extending west to the extremity of the tide water, and 
including all the islands on the coast from Tybee to St. Simons' 
inclusively, reserving to themselves the islands of Ossabaw, 
Sapeloe and St. Catharines, for the purposes of hunting, bath- 
ing and fishing — also the tract of land lying between Pipe- 
maker's blufl' and Pallychuckola creek, above Yamacraw bluff, 
now Savannah : which lands the Indians reserved to them- 



26 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1733. 

selves for an encampment, when they came to visit their be- 
loved friends at Savannah. Stipulations were entered into, 
regulating the price of goods, and the value of peltry, which 
was to be received in exchange ; and that the number of licences 
should be regulated by the number of principal towns ; each of 
which was to have one trader. All criminal cases were to be 
tried by the laws of England, and the offences punished ac- 
cordingly: fugitives were in all cases to be delivered up, and a 
reward fixed for apprehending runaway slaves. This treaty 
was signed by Oglethorpe on the part of the king of England, 
and by Tomochichi and the other chiefs and head men on the 
part of the Creek nation ; it was transmitted to the trustees and 
formally ratified on the 18th of October, 1733. The reserva- 
tion of the islands and tract of land mentioned in this treaty, 
occasioned a dispute which had well nigh cost the effusion of 
all the human blood the colony contained, and produced the 
most tedious and expensive suit at law, which has ever been 
litigated in America. Having however determined to connect 
dates rather than circumstances, this subject will be particu- 
larly noticed in its proper place. 

It was obligatory on the trustees to exhibit an account an- 
nually on the 9th of June, to the lord chancellor and other 
persons named in the charter, of their procedure; by which it 
appears that the number of persons sent over on the charity 
of the trustees the first year, amounted to one hundred and 
fifty-two, of whom sixty-one were males capable of bearing 
arms. The lands granted in trust this year to poor people, 
amoimted to five thousand acres ; and to persons coming at 
their own expense, four thousand four hundred and sixty. The 
money received from private contributions, amounted to three 
thousand seven hundred and twenty-three pounds thirteen shil- 
lings and seven pence ; of which the trustees expended for the 
benefit of the colony, two thousand two hundred and fifty-four 
pounds seventeen shillings and nine-pence ; exhibiting an ac- 
count of it to the lord chancellor and to the lord chief justice 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1733. 27 

of common pleas, pursuant to their charter, and carrying the 
remainder into their succeeding account. 

In the meantime the people were employed at Savannah in 
palisading the town and building houses. A public garden 
was laid off to the eastward of the town, which was designed 
as a nursery to supply the people with mulberry trees, vines, 
oranges, olives and other necessary plants. The gardener who 
had the care of it was employed and paid by the trustees. A 
crane was made for landing goods upon the bluff, from which 
there is a commanding view of the river a considerable dis- 
tance below the town. On the east end of Tybee Island, at the 
entrance of the river, a beacon was erected ninety feet high. 
Fort Argyle was built at the narrow passage on the Ogechee 
above the mouth of Canouchee, to protect the settlement against 
an inland invasion from Augustine. A kind of manchecolas 
or stockade fort was built at Skidaway narrows, and garrisoned 
by a detachment of captain Noble Jones's marines from Worms- 
loe : an avenue from this fort was opened to Mr. Whitefield's 
orphan house, which was built soon after under the direction 
of Mr. James Habersham. 

The British parliament foreseeing the necessity of strength- 
ening the new colony, as a security to those farther north, or- 
dered the sale of some lands at St. Christophers, and applied 
ten thousand pounds to encourage the settlement ; and in 
September and October 1733, the trustees sent over two em- 
barkations, amounting to three hundred and forty-one persons, 
principally persecuted protestants from Saltzburgh in Ger- 
many. 

Some very pleasing accounts of the country and settlement 
were sent over by some of the people to their friends in Eng- 
land, and the trustees were informed that some persons had 
made offers in Great-Britain of money and lands, in the name 
of the trustees, without their knowledge or authority ; giving 
an extravagant description of the country ; enticing laborers 
to leave profitable employments and pleasant situations, and 



28 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1733. 

embark in an untried scheme, where they might be disap- 
pointed and perhaps ruined: the trustees disavowed the au- 
thority which had been assumed in making such offers, or hold- 
ing out any particular inducements to increase the population 
of the colony, at the expense of truth ; and directed these senti- 
ments to be published in the English news-papers, which was 
accordingly done. 

In 1733, a pamphlet appeared in London, entitled, "A new 
and accurate account of the provinces of South-Carolina and 
Georgia." The author did not think fit to favor the public 
with his name ; but as it was circulated very generally through 
the kingdom, uncontradicted ; asserting its origin from the 
best authorities, and pretending an intimate acquaintance with 
the measures and designs of the trustees ; this high drawn pic- 
ture received general credit. After an high encomium upon 
the trustees, the writer says : — "The air of Georgia is healthy, 
being always serene and pleasant, never subject to excessive 
heat or cold, or sudden changes of weather ; the winter is regu- 
lar and short, and the summer cooled by refreshing breezes : it 
neither feels the cutting north-west wind that the Virginians 
complain of, nor the intense heats of Spain, Barbary, Italy 
and Egypt. The soil will produce any thing with very little 
culture : all sorts of corn yield an amazing increase ; one hun- 
dred fold is the common estimate, though the husbandry is 
so slight, that they can only be said to scratch the earth, and 
merely cover the seed. All the best sort of cattle and fowls 
are multiplied without number, and therefore without price. 
Vines are natives here ; the woods near Savannah are easily 
cleared; many of them have no underwood, and the trees do 
not stand generally thick on the ground, but at considerable 
distances asunder. When you fall the timber to make tar, or 
for any other use, the roots will rot in four or five years, and 
in the mean time you may j^asture the ground; but if you 
would only destroy the timber, it is done by half a dozen strokes 
of an axe, surrounding each tree a little above the root ; in a 



HISTOEY OF GEORGIA, 1733. 29 

year or two the water getting into the wound, rots the timber, 
and a brisk gust of wind fells many acres for you in an hour ; 
of which you may make one bright bon-fire. Such will be 
frequently here the fate of the pine, the walnut, the Cyprus, the 
oak and the cedar. Such an air and soil can only be described 
by a poetical pen, because there is no danger of exceeding the 
truth; therefore take Wallers description of an island in the 
neighborhood of Carolina, to give you an idea of this happy 

climate." 

" The spring which but salutes us here, 
Inhabits there and courts them all the year; 
Ripe fruits and blossoms on the same tree live; 
At once they promise what at once they give. 
So sweet the air so moderate the clime, 
None sickly lives, or dies before his time. 
Heav'n sure has kept this spot of earth uncurst. 
To show how all things were created first." 

''The Indians bring many a mile the whole of a deer's flesh, 
which they sell to the people who live in the country, for the 
value of six pence sterling ; and a wild turkey of forty pounds 
iveigU, for the value of hvo-pence." The author when rec- 
ommending the Georgia adventure to gentlemen embarrassed 
in their pecuniary circumstances, who must labor at home or 
do worse, states the following objections: — ''If people cannot 
get bread here for their labor, how will their condition be 
mended in Georgia?" which he solves in the following man- 
ner — "The answer is easy ; part of it is well attested, and part 
self evident ; they have land there for nothing, and that land 
so fertile, that as is said before, they receive an hundred fold 
increase for taking a very little pains. Give ten acres of good 
land in England, to one of these helpless persons, and I doubt 
not his ability to make it support himself and family by his 
own labor, without letting it to another ; but the difference be- 
tween no rent and rac¥d rent, is the difference between eating 
and starving." 

This highly colored picture of the American terrestrial para- 
dise, uncontaminated by the fall of man, had well nigh turned 



30 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 173S-SJ^. 

the heads of the English peasantry, and with the additional 
evidence of the trustees, Great-Britain would have been nearly 
depopulated. The trustees however represented that the de- 
scription of the country was greatly exaggerated, and thus 
composed once more, for a time at least, the inflamed fancies 
of the people. 

Oglethorpe having placed his settlers in the best possible 
state of security, and provided for the accommodation of their 
wants during his absence ; sailed in April 1734 for England, 
and invited the Indian king, with whom he had formed the 
treaty to accompany him: to this Tomochichi consented, and 
himself, his queen and some other Indians, accompanied Ogle- 
thorpe to Great-Britain. 

On their arrival in London, the Indian chiefs were intro- 
duced to the king, while many of the nobility were present: 
Tomochichi struck with astonishment at the grandeur of the 
British court, addressed the king in the following words: — 
"This day I see the majesty of your face, the greatness of 
your house and the number of your people; I am come in my 
old days, though I cannot expect to see any advantage to my- 
self ; I am come for the good of the children of all the nations 
of the lower and upper Creeks, that they may be instructed 
in the language of the English. These are feathers of the eagle, 
which is the swiftest of birds, and which flyeth round our na- 
tions : these feathers are emblems of peace in our land, and 
have been carried from town to town. We have brought them 
over to leave them with you, O great king, as a token of ever- 
lasting peace: O great king, whatever words you shall say 
unto me, I will faithfully tell them to all the kings of the Creek 
nation." To which the king replied: "I am glad of this op- 
portunity of assuring you of my regard for the people from 
whom you came ; and I am extremely well pleased with the as- 
surances you have brought me from them, and accept very 
gratefully of this present, an indication of their good disposi- 
tions to me and my people. I shall always be ready to culti- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 173Jf. 31 

vate a good correspondence between the Creeks and my sub- 
jects, and shall be glad on any occasion to show you marks of 
my particular friendship." 

While these Indians were in England, nothing was neglected 
that might serve to engage their affections, and fill them with 
just notions of the greatness and power of the British nation. 
The nobility, curious to see them, and observe their manners, 
entertained them magnificently at their tables; wherever they 
went multitudes flocked around them, shaking hands with the 
rude warriors of the forest, giving them little presents, and 
treating them with every mark of friendship and civility: 
twenty pounds sterling a week were allowed them by the crown 
while they remained in England, and when they returned, it 
was computed they carried presents with them to the value of 
four hundred pounds sterling. — After staying four months, 
and admiring thd splendor of the British court and their sov- 
ereign, they were carried to Gravesend in one of his majesty's 
carriages, where they embarked for Georgia, highly pleased 
with the grandeur and generosity of the nation, and promising 
perpetual fidelity to its interest. 

It was supposed that this kind method of treating barbarians, 
was more politic than that of overawing them by harsh and 
forcible measures ; that to promote the settlement of the colonies, 
nothing could be more effectual than the purchase of Indian 
friendship by mildness, a repetition of presents, and other 
friendly ofiices. This ill judged policy will be treated more 
largely in its proper place. 

Tomochichi acknowledged that the governor of the world, or 
great spirit, had given the English great wisdom, power and 
riches; that they wanted nothing: he had given Indians great 
extent of territories ; yet they wanted every thing : and he ex- 
erted his influence in prevailing on the Creeks to resign such 
lands to the English as were of no use to themselves, and to 
allow them to settle amongst them, that they might be supplied 
with useful articles for cultivation and necessaries of life. He 



32 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1734. 

told them that the English were a generous nation, and would 
trade with them on the most honorable and advantageous terms ; 
that they were brethren and friends, and would protect them 
against danger, and go to war with them against their enemies. 

Before Tomochichi left England he requested of the trus- 
tees that the weights, measures, prices, and qualities of all 
goods to be exchanged by them for their deer-skins and other 
peltry, might be settled by established rules ; that none might 
be allowed to trade with the Indians in Georgia, without a 
licence from the trustees, in order that if they were in any 
respect defrauded by the traders, they might know where to 
apply for redress ; and that there might be one store house in 
each town, to supply them with such goods as they might want 
to purchase, from whence the trader might be obliged to supply 
them at first cost. The Indians alledged as a reason for this 
application, that the traders had demanded exorbitant prices 
for their goods, and defrauded them in their weights and 
measures ; and that to such impositions were to be ascribed the 
animosities and quarrels between the English and Indians, 
which had frequently ended in war, prejudicial to both powers. 

The government of South-Carolina had passed a law on 
this point, the 20th of August 1731, entitled an act for the bet- 
ter regulation of the Indian trade, and for appointing a com- 
missioner for that purpose with regulations. The trustees 
hoping that an act of this nature might be effectual in Georgia, 
prepared an act entitled an act for maintaining the peace with 
the Indians in the province of Georgia, with the same regula- 
tions and provisions, as were in the Carolina act; which act 
of Carolina ceased to be in force in Georgia, since it was erected 
into a distinct independent province, not subject to the laws 
of that province. 

The trustees having received information from the colony, 
that the most pernicious effects had arisen from the use of 
spirituous liquors ; that by the abuse of them great disorders 
had been created amongst the Indians who had been plentifully 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1735. 33 

supplied by the traders, and that by the same cause, a variety 
of diseases had been produced amongst the white people, as 
well as disorderly conduct ; prepared an act entitled an act to 
prevent the importation and use of rum and brandies into the 
province of Georgia, or any kind of spirits or strotig waters 
whatsoever. At the same time they endeavored to supply the 
stores with strong beer from England, molasses for brewing 
beer, and with Madeira wines, which the people might pur- 
chase at reasonable rates, and which would be more refreshing 
and wholesome. The magistrates of the town of Savannah 
were empowered to grant licences to private persons for re- 
tailing beer, ale, &c. and the trustees had great reason to be- 
lieve, that the healthiness of Ebenezer to the northward, and 
of Frederica to the southward of Savannah, was to be attributed 
to the prohibition of ardent spirits. Where ardent spirits have 
been introduced in defiance of the law, and used to excess, the 
people were neither healthy nor vigorous. These acts, as well 
as the one prohibiting the use and introduction of slaves into 
the new colony, were laid before the king in council in the 
month of January 1735, and ratified. 

Though the lands granted by the trustees were to revert to 
them on failure of male issue, in order to be re-granted, for 
keeping up a number of men capable of bearing arms ; yet the 
trustees as guardians of the people, when any such failure hap- 
pened, resolved that the value of the improvements upon the 
lands of the late occupiers, should be estimated and paid to or 
for the benefit of the female offspring or nearest kinswoman, 
and the first case of this kind occurring on the death of Mr. 
De Ferron, the value of the improvements he had made on his 
estate, was on the 5th of February 1735, paid in pursuance 
of an order to that eifect, for the use of his daughter in Eng- 
land, who being destitute, would have been absolutely unable 
to proceed in the cultivation of her father's lot. 

The addition to the population this year, at the trustees ex- 
pense, were eighty-one ; principally Saltzburghers, who joined 
3 



34 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1735. 

their countrymen at Ebenezer. Two thousand five hundred 
acres of land was granted this year to the poor, and one thou- 
sand nine hundred acres were granted to such persons as came 
over on their own account : the contributions for this year 
amounted to 31,4161. 7s. Yd. sterling. 

The attention of Oglethorpe, was at an early period after 
his arrival in the colony, directed to the opening of a communi- 
cation to the source of navigation on the Savannah river. He 
accordingly extended his settlements up that river as far as 
his claims by treaty would justify. The Saltzburghers, a hardy 
race of people who had been driven out of the electorate of 
Bavaria, by persecution, on account of their adherence to the 
lenets of the protestant religion, were settled about Ebenezer, 
twenty-five miles from Savannah — the lands between Ebenezer 
and the river of briers, (brier creek) belonged to a tribe of 
Indians called lichees, who refused to dispose of them. Two 
forts were built on the north-east side of the river which an- 
swered the purpose. Establishments were made at Mount 
Pleasant, Silver bluff — Moore's fort was built at a place called 
by the natives Savannah Town, seven miles above New- Wind- 
sor, and near the falls. The trustees ordered the town of Au- 
gusta to be laid off in 1735, and garrisoned in 1736: several 
ware-houses were built and furnished with goods suitable for 
the Indian trade — boats were built by the inhabitants calcu- 
lated to carry about ten thousand weight of peltry ; making 
four or five voyages annually to Charleston. Augusta became 
a general resort for the Indian traders in the spring, where 
they purchased annually about two thousand pack-horse loads 
of peltry: and including towns-men, pack-horse-men and serv- 
ants, it was calculated that six hundred white persons were 
engaged in this trade. A path was opened to Savannah which 
was passable on horseback: a stock of cattle was placed at Ebe- 
nezer belonging to the trustees, but were neglected for want 
of horses to attend to them. Amongst the emigrants of the last 
year (1734) were twenty families of Jews, for whom land 
was laid off in the neighborhood of Savannah. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1735. 35 

The next colonists in 1735, were principally Saltzburghers, 
who joined the settlement of their compatriots at Ebenezer; 
these were honest industrious farmers, never complained of 
their condition or treatment, and appeared to be duly impressed 
with a sense of their obligations to the trustees. 

The Rev. Mr. Boltzius in his«ietters to Germany, represents 
Ebenezer to be very healthy — he says that his congregation 
consisted of one hundred and thirty persons, by which it is 
supposed he meant grown people, and that only one death oc- 
curred in a whole year, and the deceased was a youth : he after- 
wards mentions their being afflicted by disease, occasioned by 
opening rice lands, and making a cross-way through Ebenezer 
swamp ; and that the only part of the settlers who were gener- 
ally unhealthy in the colony, were the idle and dissipated who 
lived in and about Savannah. 

When Oglethorpe left Georgia, which was in April 1734, the 
charge of the colony was confided principally to Thomas Caus- 
ton, who was a bailiff or magistrate, and store-keeper. Other 
magistrates were associated with him, who were considered 
nominal characters, entirely under his control. The settlers 
preferred against him such charges as these — that he had 
threatened jurors, whose verdicts did not correspond with his 
inclination or humor ; and being of low origin he became in- 
toxicated with the powers vested in him : he was proud, haughty 
and cruel ; that he compelled eight freeholders with an officer, 
to attend at the door of the court-house while it was in session, 
with their guns and bayonets ; who had orders to rest their 
firelocks as soon as he appeared : that juries from terror of him 
could not act according to their consciences : that his head was 
turned by power and pride ; and that he threatened without 
distinction, rich and poor, strangers and inhabitants, who dared 
to oppose his arbitrary proceedings, or claimed their just 
rights and privileges, with the jail, stocks and whipping post: 
that he thus rendered his name a terror to the people — he was 
•charged with mis-applying the public money and other prop- 



36 HISTOBY OF GEORGIA, 1735. 

erty, giving more than their due to his favorites, and with- 
holding the just claims of those who dared to oppose the in- 
justice of his proceedings. The inhabitants of Carolina, had 
in public and private donations, contributed upwards of 13001. 
sterling, to aid and encourage the settlement of Georgia ; and 
seeing the funds dissipated uselessly by Causton, and out of 
regard to the welfare of their fellow-creatures, persuaded many 
of them to abandon their settlements in Georgia, and pass over 
into their province. 

In December 1734, Mr. Gordon as chief magistrate, was sent 
over by the trustees to Savannah: he is represented to have 
been a man of some talents, and soon became a favorite with 
the people — they laid their grievances before him, and he made 
an effort to restore harmony and good order ; but old Causton's 
cunning soon pointed out an expedient to remove his adver- 
sary — Gordon was refused either money or provisions from 
the public store, which in a short time rendered him incapable 
of supporting himself and family; and he was obliged after a 
stay of six weeks to return to England — he promised to rep- 
resent the grievances of the people to the trustees : whether he 
resigned, or was removed from the office of first bailiff, is not 
known — Causton however was appointed in his stead. There 
was amongst the bailiffs, one Henry Parker, a man of mild 
temper and moderate capacity, of a large family and was de- 
pendent on the public store for subsistence — therefore when- 
ever Causton designed to gain a favorite point, he threatened 
him with the exercise of his power, in withholding subsistence 
from himself and family: Mr. Christie, the recorder was 
easily over-ruled by the other two. After Gordon's dismission 
or resignation, Mr. Durn was appointed ; he was said to be 
seventy years of age, and crazed both in body and mind ; he 
died soon after he was appointed: his successor Robert Gil- 
bert, could neither read nor write, so that after Gordon's de- 
parture, Causton met no formidable opposition to his arbitrary 
proceedings. Captain Joseph Watson, is mentioned amongst 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1735. 37 

the victims of Caiiston's tyrannical administration: he had 
brought a charge against this militia officer, for stirring up 
animosities in the minds of the Indians : he was indicted and 
brought to trial, in which Causton is represented in the three- 
fold capacities of witness, advocate and judge. The jury 
returned twice without finding the prisoner guilty of any 
crime, but that of having used some unguarded expressions: 
Causton desired the jury to return, find him guilty, and rec- 
ommend him to the mercy of the court, immagining or suppos- 
ing he might be lunatic : the jury then found him guilty of 
lunacy: the judge ordered him to prison, where he remained 
near three years (though he had offered good security) with- 
out pronouncing any sentence. Many other instances of the 
cruelty of this judge are mentioned amongst the grievances 
of the colonists — among other matters are, that the British 
nation was deceived with the fame of a happy flourishing 
colony, and of its being free from that pest and scourge of 
mankind called laivyers; for want of whose legal assistance, 
the poor miserable inhabitants were exposed to a more arbi- 
trary government, than was ever exercised in Turkey or Mus- 
covy. Looks were criminal, and the grand sin of opposing 
justice to authority, was punished without mercy: that a light- 
house was commenced of wood and the frame was rotten before 
it was erected ; that the lofty fabric had never been covered 
and was going to ruins : that prisons and log-houses of various 
sorts were alternately built and razed, and that most part of 
them were better calculated for dungeons in the Spanish in- 
quisition, than British gaols. Irons,- whipping-posts, gibbets, 
&c. were provided to keep the inhabitants in perpetual terror; 
innocence afforded no protection ; and for some time there were 
more imprisonments, whipping, &c. of the white people, in this 
colony of liberty, than in all British America besides. Corn- 
mills, saw-mills, public roads, trustees plantations, (as they 
were called) wells, forts, &c. were commenced for the purpose 
of amusing the world, and maintaining a few creatures who 



38 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1735. 

assisted in keeping the poor colonists in subjection. Such 
Were the complaints against the trustees and civil authority, 
while Oglethorpe was absent. If the code of English law was 
found unequal to the government of a majority of these people, 
it was not to be supposed that their vices could be controlled 
by a mild system, under the administration of a few ignorant 
magistrates. 

During the absence of Oglethorpe from the colony, exertions 
had been made to cultivate the vine and mulberry, to make 
wine and silk: those best acquainted with the cultivation of 
them had been employed, with the assistance of common la- 
borers, on a spot of ground which was enclosed at the east end 
of Savannah, called the trustees garden; and perhaps a more 
improper place could not have been fixed on. After being dug 
up and exposed to a few rains, they found themselves culti- 
vating a poor bed of sand, which in the heat of summer would 
have roasted an egg. The trees did not flourish and the vines 
were parched with heat. Having laid off the fifty acre lots 
for each farmer indiscriminately, several of them in point of 
quality, corresponded with the garden: the people grew dis- 
satisfied and became clamorous against the trustees, while the 
colony was yet in the bud. Drunkenness and irregularities 
began to prevail in a formidable degree. The law prohibiting 
strong drink could not be enforced ; the people deemed the 
use of ardent spirits necessary for the preservation of health. 

The principal part of the people who had been sent over at 
the trustees expense, were picked up in the streets of London, 
and outcasts from other parts of the kingdom, and would prob- 
ably have been dissatisfied with the best possible arrangements 
which could have been made for them; and that industrious 
farmers were to be formed out of such materials, immediately 
after their arrival in Georgia, was one of these extraordinary 
events, which on common calculation, could not have been ex- 
pected. 

Admitting the humane intentions of the trustees, and allow- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17 35. 39 

iiig them all the credit which is due for their laudable inten- 
tions ; perhaps the imniagination of man could scarcely have 
framed a system of rules worse adapted to the circumstances 
and situation of the poor settlers, and of more pernicious con- 
sequence to the prosperity of the province. 

The colony was designed to be a barrier to South-Carolina, 
against the Spanish settlement at Augustine ; they immagined 
that negroes would rather weaken than strengthen it ; and that 
the poor colonists would run in debt and ruin themselves by 
the purchase of slaves. The use of rum was judged pernicious 
to health, and ruinous to an infant settlement : a free trade with 
the Indians, was considered as a thing that would produce 
quarrels with a powerful nation of savages: such were prob- 
ably the motives of the trustees in imposing such ill judged 
and ridiculous restrictions on the colony of Georgia, from 
which the adjoining colony of South-Carolina, separated only 
by a narrow river, was entirely free. There the people could 
buy as many negroes as they pleased ; possess by a fee simple 
title several hundred acres of land, and choose it from the best 
that was vacant ; purchase as much rum as they might desire, 
deal with the Indians without restriction, and in short they 
enjoyed all those privileges which were denied to Georgia. The 
trustees like other distant legislators, who framed their regu- 
lations upon speculative principles, were liable to many errors 
and mistakes; and however good their design, their rules were 
found unwise, and indeed impracticable. 

The Carolinians plainly perceived that these regulations 
must prove insuperable obstacles to the progress and prosperity 
of the colony, and therefore from motives of pity, invited the 
Georgians to cross the Savannah river and settle amongst them, 
convinced that they could never succeed under such impolitic 
and oppressive restrictions. Remonstrances were made to the 
trustees that their garden would neither produce mulberries 
or grapes, from its extreme poverty, and they seeming sensible 
of their error, gave orders to choose another spot of ground of 



40 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1735. ^ 

better quality. Abraham De Leon, a Jew, who had been many 
years a vigneron in Portugal, and was a freeholder in Savan- 
nah, cultivated several kinds of grapes in his garden, and 
amongst others, reared the Oporto and Malaga to great per- 
fection: of this he sent home an attested account to the trus- 
tees, proposing that if they would lend him, upon such security 
as he offered, two hundred pounds sterling for three years with- 
out interest, he would employ that, and a further sum of his 
own, in bringing across the Atlantic from Portugal, vines and 
vignerons ; that he would bind himself to return the money 
within the time mentioned, and have growing within the colony, 
forty thousand such vines, which he would furnish to the free- 
holders at moderate rates — the trustees were satisfied with the 
security, and accepted the proposal, but the advances were neg- 
lected and the design relinquished. 

While Oglethorpe was in England in 1735, rules were drawn 
up by the trustees, for further encouraging the settlement of 
Georgia ; and that the persons who were transported at the ex- 
pense of the trustees, might not be misled, copies of these rules 
were printed and circulated. The trustees intended to lay out 
another county and build a new town in Georgia, That they 
would give to such persons as they sent upon their charity ; to 
every grown male, a watch-coat, musket, and bayonet, hatchet, 
hammer, hand-saw, shod-shovel or spade, broad-hoe, narrow- 
hoe, gimblet, and drawing knife; and a public grind-stone to 
each ward or village ; and to each man an iron pot, pot-hooks 
and frying pan: and for his maintenance for one year, three 
hundred pounds of beef or pork, one hundred and fourteen 
pounds of rice, one hundred and fourteen pounds of pease, one 
hundred and fourteen pounds of flour, forty-four gallons of 
strong beer, sixty-four quarts of molasses for brewing beer, 
eighteen pounds of cheese, nine pounds of butter, nine ounces 
of spice, nine pounds of sugar, five gallons of vinegar, thirty 
pounds of salt, twelve quarts of lamp oil, and twelve pounds 
of soap — and to the mothers, wives, children and other females. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1735. 41 

of twelve years of age and upwards, the same allowances of 
provisions, &c, with the exception of beer: half allowance for 
children of seven and under twelve years, and from two to seven 
years of age, one-third: passage paid, sea stores allowed, &c. 
And the said persons to enter into the following covenants be- 
fore embarkation — That they would repair on board such ship 
as should be provided for carrying them to the province of 
Georgia ; and during the voyage, demean themselves quietly, 
soberly and obediently, and go to such place in the said prov- 
ince of Georgia, and there obey all such orders as should be 
given them for the better settling, establishing and governing 
the said colony : and that for the first twelve months from their 
landing in the said province, would work and labor in clearing 
their lands, making habitations, and necessary defences, and 
on all other works for the common good and public weal of 
the said province, at such times, in such manner, and accord- 
ing to such plans and directions, as should be given them. And 
that they, from and after the expiration of the said twelve 
months, would, during the next succeeding two years, abide, 
settle and inhabit in the said province of Georgia ; and culti- 
vate the lands which should be to them and their male heirs 
severally allotted and given, by all such ways and means as 
according to their several abilities and skill, they should be 
best able and capable: all such persons were to be settled in 
the same colony, either in new towns or new villages: those 
in the towns should have each of them a lot, sixty feet in front 
and ninety feet in depth, whereon they were to build a house, 
and have as much land in the country, as in the whole, would 
make up fifty acres — those in the villages, would each of them 
have a lot of fifty acres, upon which they were to build their 
houses ; the tenure, fencing, cultivation, &c. of the lands as 
heretofore mentioned, with a rent charge of two shillings and 
six-pence sterling on every fifty acre lot, for the support of 
the colony; but the payment was not to commence until ten 
years after the grant. None were to have the benefit of the 



42 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1735. 

charity fund for their transportation, subsistence, &c. except 
those of the following description: — 1st. Such as were in de- 
cayed circumstances, and thereby disabled from following any 
profitable business in England, and who if in debt, must obtain 
the consent of their creditors. 2d. Such as have numerous 
families of children, if assisted by their respective parishes, 
and recommended by the minister, church-wardens and over- 
seers thereof. The trustees expected to have a good character 
of the emigrants, because no drunkards or vicious persons 
would be taken. — The better to enable the said persons to 
build the new town, and clear their lands, the trustees allowed 
every freeholder to take over with him, one male servant or ap- 
prentice of the age of eighteen years and upwards, to be bound 
for no less than four years ; and by way of loan to such free- 
holder, advanced the charges of passage for such servant or ap- 
prentice, and furnished him with the clothing and provision 
hereafter mentioned, to be delivered in such portions, and at 
such times, as the trustees should think proper to direct : — A 
pallet, bolster, blanket, a frock and trowsers of linsey-woolsey, 
a shirt, frock and trowsers of oznaburgs, a pair of shoes from 
England, and two pair of country shoes; two hundred pounds 
of meat, three hundred and forty-two pounds of rice, pease, or 
Indian corn — the expenses of which passage, clothing and pro- 
visions, were to be reimbursed to the trustees by the master, 
within the third year from their embarkation from England. 
And to each man servant and the male heirs of his body for- 
ever, and after the expiration of his service, upon a certificate 
from his master, of his faithful services, were to be granted 
twenty acres of land, under such rents and agreements, as shall 
have been then last granted to any other man servant in like 
circumstances. 

These rules and regulations were entered into the 2d of July, 
1735 : other conditions were added ; to such persons as would 
carry over ten men servants and settle with them in Georgia, 
at their own expense, and whose characters the trustees, upon 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1735. 43 

enquiry, should approve of, would be granted five hundred 
acres of land in tail male, and to descend to the male heirs of 
their bodies forever, under the yearly rents of twenty shillings 
sterling for every hundred acres, for the support of the colony ; 
the payment not to commence until ten years after the grant ; 
and the land is so granted upon the following conditions and 
covenants: that such persons should pay the reut reserved as 
the same became due, and no part to be unpaid six months 
after due ; that they, within a month of the grant should reg- 
ister the same, or a memorial thereof, with the auditor of the 
plantations ; that they, within twelve months from the grant, 
should go to and arrive in Georgia, with ten able bodied men 
servants, being each of the age of twenty years and upwards: 
that they should abide in Georgia with such men servants three 
years from the time of registering the grant, building their 
houses and cultivating their lands: that they should clear and 
cultivate within ten years from the date of their grants, two 
hundred acres, part of the said five hundred, and plant two 
thousand white mulberry trees, or plants thereupon ; and on 
every hundred of the other three hundred acres, one thousand 
white mulberry trees, or plants, when cleared, and preserve 
the same quantity from time to time thereupon; the trustees, 
obliging themselves to furnish the plants ; that they should not 
alienate the said five hundred acres of land, or any part thereof 
for any term of years, or any estate or interest in the same, to 
any person or persons without special leave ; that they should 
not make pot-ash in partnership without leave, but might make 
it themselves, not in partnership. On the termination of male 
descendants, who alone could inherit the land thus granted, 
the land to revert to the trust, and that they should not depart 
the said province without licence. Each servant serving four 
years, should be entitled to twenty acres of land, on the con- 
ditions before mentioned. 

In the year 1735, the British parliament granted large sums 
of money, for settling and securing the colony of Georgia. The 



44 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1135. 

trustees thought it prudent to strengthen the southern part of 
the province bv making a settlement on the Alatamaha river, 
to which they were the more strongly inclined by a memorial 
sent to the king from the governor and council of South-Caro- 
lina, dated 9th April 1734, wherein; after thanking his ma- 
jesty for his peculiar favor and protection, and especially for 
his most benign care, so wisely calculated for the preservation 
of South Carolina, by his royal charter to the trustees for es- 
tablishing the colony of Georgia ; and after representing the 
practices of the French and Spaniards, to seduce the Indians 
who were in amity with South-Carolina ; the attention of the 
French to improve their settlements, and their late increase 
in number, near Carolina ; the defenceless condition of the 
province, and the danger of the inhabitants from their slaves, 
and the ruinous situation of the West India trade, in case the 
French should possess themselves of Carolina ; they add that 
the harbours and ports of Carolina and Georgia, enable his 
majesty to be absolute master of the passage through the gulf 
of Florida, and to impede at his pleasure, the transportation 
home, of the Spanish treasure, which, should his majesty's 
enemies possess, would then prove so many convenient harbours 
for them, to annoy a great part of the British trade to America, 
as well as that which was carried on through the gulf to Ja- 
maica. 

The British government having appropriated large sums of 
money to the settlement of Georgia, and deeming its rapid in- 
crease in population of the utmost importance to the other 
colonies, became more vigorous in their efforts. The first em- 
barkations of poor people, collected from towns and cities, had 
been found equally idle, and useless members of society 
abroad, as they had been at home, and their conduct tended 
rather to destroy than to promote the trustees intentions. A 
hardy bold race of men, accustomed to rural economy, and 
laborious pursuits, they were persuaded would be much better 
adapted, both for cultivation and defence. To find men pos- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1735-36. 45 

sessed of these qualifications, the trustees turned their eyes 
to Germany and the high lands of Scotland, and resolved to 
send over a number of Scotts and Germans to their infant prov- 
ince. When they published their terms at Inverness, one 
hundred and thirty highlanders accepted the proposals, and 
were transported to Georgia — a township on the Alatamaha, 
was allotted for the residence of the former ; on which dan- 
gerous situation they settled and built a town, which they called 
New Inverness, (now Darien) — about the same time one hun- 
dred and seventy Germans embarked with Oglethorpe, who 
settled at Ebenezer : so that Georgia had received from the old 
world, in the space of three years, about six hundred inhabi- 
tants, near two hundred of whom were Germans. Afterwards 
several adventurers from Scotland and Germany, followed 
their countrymen, and the trustees flattered themselves with 
the hope of soon seeing their colony in a flourishing condition. 

When Oglethorpe arrived in Georgia, the 5th of February 
1736, he brought over a number of guns for the batteries and 
forts, erected and to be erected at Savannah, Augusta, Fred- 
erica, and other places. The fort at Augusta was intended for 
the protection of the Indian trade, and was considered a proper 
place for holding treaties with the several Indian tribes. Fred- 
erica on St. Simon's island at the mouth of the Alatamaha, was 
a regular work of Tappy (a composition of oyster-shells and 
lime) with four bastions, mounted with several pieces of can- 
non — on the south end of the island ten miles from the fort, 
a battery called fort St. Simons, was raised, commanding the 
entrance of Jekyl sound: ten thousand pounds were granted 
by the British government towards building and garrisoning 
these works. 

The celebrated John Wesley accompanied Oglethorpe to 
Georgia, with an intention of making religious impressions 
on the minds of the Indians as well as the colonists. Himself 
and followers before he left England, were distinguished by 
a more than common strictness of religious life — they received 



46 HISTORY OF GEOBGIA, 1736. 

the sacrament of the Lord's supper every week ; observed all 
the fasts of the church ; visited the prisons ; rose at 4 o'clock in 
the morning and refrained from all amusements. From the 
exact method in which they disposed of every hour, they ac- 
quired the appellation of Methodists, by which their followers 
have since been denominated. Wesley had drawn over a con- 
siderable number of proselytes and created many unpleasant 
divisions amongst the people in Georgia ; he was charged with 
requiring too much of their time from necessary labor, to at- 
tend his prayers, meetings and sermons, at improper hours, 
tending to propagate a spirit of indolence and hypocrisy 
amongst the abandoned, by adhering to his novelties. That 
1 he had an undue influence over the public funds, which was 

■ exercised exclusively in favor of his own sect, and that he ex- 
communicated all such as differed with him in his creed and 
shut them out from religious ordinances, contrary to the spirit 
and tenderness authorised by the christian religion. He was 
also charged with an attempt to establish confessions, penance, 
mortifications, &c. and appointed deaconesses, with sundry 
other innovations, which he called apostolick constitutions : that 
his schemes seemed judiciously calculated to debase and de- 
press the minds of the people, to break down the spirit of lib- 
erty, and humble them with fastings, penances, drinking water, 

/'and a thorough subjection to the spiritual jurisdiction, which 
I he asserted was to be established in his own person ; and when 
this should be accomplished, the minds of the people would 
be equally prepared for the reception of civil or religious tyr- 
anny — ^that Jesuitical arts were used to bring his schemes to 
perfection ; party divisions were made in private families ; spies 
engaged in their houses ; servants bribed to communicate f am- 
; ily secrets to him, and that those who had givgn themselves 
up to his spiritual guidance, especially females, were required 

■ to discover to him their secret actions, and the subjects of their 
dreams. lie had preserved a great intimacy with Causton the 
chief bailiff, and had said some tender things to his niece — 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1736. 47 

she rejected his proposals, naving been engaged to a gentle- 
man, whom she married soon after : this produced chagrin and 
gave umbrage to Weslej, who under some frivolous pretexts \ 
repelled her from the holy communion — her husband thought 
himself well founded in an action of damages ; and Causton, 
who was nettled at the affront offered to his niece, encouraged 
him in prosecuting the suit : accordingly thirteen indictments 
were found against Wesley, one of which was at the instance 
of this lady — the others were founded on the improper exer- 
cise of his ecclesiastical functions: these indictments, found 
by forty-four freeholders, were forwarded by the bailiffs to 
the trustees, accompanied by an abstract of other matters, by 
which they considered themselves oppressed. It will be but 
just to extract a few observations from Wesley's own journal, 
as the record has been preserved by his biographers Doct. Coke 
and Mr. Moore, and then leave the reader to draw his own 
conclusions. — "Mr. Causton, the store-keeper and chief magis- 
trate of Savannah, had a young lady in his house, his niece, 
of an improved understanding, and elegant person and man- 
ners. The general (meaning Oglethorpe) thought he found 
in her a proper bait for this soaring religionist. This young 
lady was introduced to him as a person who had severely felt 
the anguish of a wounded spirit, and now was a sincere en- 
quirer after the way of eternal life. After some time he ob- 
served that she took every possible opportunity of being in his 
company. She also desired a greater intimacy; but modestly 
veiled her real motives, under a request that he would assist 
her in attaining a perfect knowledge of the French tongue. 

"Mr. Delamotte (a friend of Mr. Wesley's) had not learned 
to defy suspicion. He thought he saw in her, semblance of 
worth, not substance. He therefore embraced an opportunity 
of expostulating with Mr. Wesley, and asked him if he de- 
signed to marry Miss Sophia ? at the same time set forth in a 
strong light, her art and his simplicity. Though pleased with 
the attention of his fair friend, Mr. Wesley had not allowed 



48 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1736. 

himself to determine upon marriage. Mr. Delamotte's ques- 
tion not a little puzzled him. He waived an answer at that 
time; and perceiving the prejudice of Mr. Delamotte's mind 
against the young lady, he called on bishop Nitscham, and 
consulted him: his answer was short; marriage said he, you 
know, is not unlawful. Whether it is now expedient for you, 
and whether this lady is a proper match for you, ought to be 
maturely weighed. Finding his perplexity increase, he de- 
termined to propose his doubts to the elders of the Moravian 
church. When he entered the house where they met together, 
he found Mr. Delamotte sitting amongst them. On his pro- 
posing the business, the bishoiD replied — we have considered 
your case — will you abide by our decision ? he answered, I 
will — then said the bishop, we advise you to proceed no further 
in this business. He replied, the will of the Lord be done. From 
this time he cautiously avoided every thing that tended to con- 
tinue the intimacy. Soon after this a young gentlewoman, who 
had been some time before married to the surgeon of the colony, 
and had sailed with the general from Europe, sent for him, 
and related to him under a 'promise of secrecy, what we shall 
now declare concerning the hitherto mysterious part of this 
circumstance, adding these words : I had no rest till I resolved 
to tell you the whole affair : I have myself been urged to that 
behaviour towards you which I am now ashamed to mention — 
both Miss Sophia and myself were ordered, if we could not suc- 
ceed, even to deny you nothing/' Some would be ill-natured 
enough to doubt the truth of this assertion: to say the best of 
it, Mr. Wesley violated the laws of fidelity and confidence, in 
recording it in his journal. 

Mr. Wesley proceeds and admits that ten bills of indict- 
ment were found against him, and that he was required to give 
security to appear at court for trial, which he refused. — "In 
the afternoon the magistrates published an order, requiring 
all the officers and centinels to prevent his going out of the prov- 
ince ; and forbidding any jDcrson to assist him so to do. Being 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1736. 49 

now a prisoner at large, in the place where he knew by ex- 
perience, every day would give fresh opportunity to procure 
evidences of words he never said, and actions he never did ; he 
saw clearly the hour was come for leaving that place; and as 
soon as evening prayers were over, about eight o'clock, the tide 
then serving, he shook the dust off his feet and left Georgia." 

I have discussed this subject at more length than I intended, 
because Mr. Wesley has been spoken of by some of his follow- 
ers as the superior of St. Paul, in point of religious zeal ; and 
his efforts for the conversion of the aboriginies of America, have 
been produced as evidences of the assertion. In Mr. Wesley's 
journal, he dates his conversion after he was forty years of 
age, and seven years after he left Georgia; therefore he could 
not have been fully qualified to heal the wounded spirit of Miss 
Sophia. 

Having portrayed the morning of Mr. Wesley's character, 
it is but just to give the evening. After the period of life at 
which he dates his conversion, he appears to have been a warm 
and zealous advocate for the christian religion, in which it is 
believed he was eminently favored amongst the saints of God, 
and as distinguished for his hol}^ walk, as for his great abilities, 
indefatigable labor and singular usefulness — the foibles of his 
early life were used by his enemies to stain his character, and 
if possible to rob him of the laurels which he acquired in ad- 
vanced age: he seems to have imagined that the glorious head 
of the church was pleased to furnish special interposition in 
his behalf, which he was sometimes ready to construe as miracu- 
lous. He is gone to give an account of himself to his proper 
judge, by whom I doubt not, all his iniquities are pardoned. 

The return of Oglethorpe in February 1736, contributed 
greatly to the settlement and preservation of the colony, which 
had already become considerable enough, not only to draw the 
attention, but to excite the jealousy of the Spaniards ; who, 
without all question, would have been glad to have overpowered 
and driven out of it their unwelcome neighbors, if it had been 



50 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1736. 

in their power. The Spanish governor was apprehensive of 
the consequences which must have attended aji open war be- 
tween the two nations, on account of the disputes between their 
frontier provinces ; which circumstances were so well improved 
by Oglethorpe, and the Indians who had entered into friend- 
ship with the new settlement, and were so strongly attached 
to the English interest, that the governor of St. Augustine, 
upon mature deliberation, found it more expedient to enter 
into a negoeiation with the English colony ; which Oglethorpe 
also knowing to be advisable for the security of Georgia, nego- 
ciated and concluded a treaty, upon very just and reasonable, 
as well as safe and advantageous terms; as will appear by the 
following copy of the treaty itself, and the powers given by 
him for concluding and signing it. 

"To Charles Demsey, Esquire. 

''I have empowered you by procuration, dated the 23d of 
June 1736, to treat and conclude, concerning certain matters 
of importance, relating to these provinces, with his excellency 
Don Francisco del Moral Sanches, captain-general of Florida, 
and governor of St. Augustine, and the council of war of the 
said garrison ; and having since the dates of these letters, re- 
ceived advice from the governor of St, Augustine, as also a 
message from his excellency Don Juan Francisco Geumes de 
Horcasitas, major-general in his catholic majesty's service, 
captain-general of the island of Cuba, and governor of Havan- 
nali, by Don Antonio de Arredondo, they both empowering him 
to treat concerning the said matters ; I do hereby empower, con- 
stitute and appoint you, to treat, conclude and sign the follow- 
ing articles ; and to deliver the same unto the governor and 
council of St, Augustine, they signing, sealing and interchang- 
ing the said articles : 

''First. That his excellency the governor of St. Augustine, 
shall restrain his Indians, subjects to the king of Spain, from 
committing any hostilities upon the subjects of the king of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1736. 51 

Great-Britain. I will restrain the Indian subjects of the king 
of Great-Britain in this province, from any hostilities upon the 
subjects of his catholic majesty. 

"■Secondly. That in respect to the nations of free Indians 
called Creeks, I will use my utmost amicable endeavors upon 
any reasonable satisfaction given them, to prevail with them 
to abstain from any hostilities whatsoever, with the subjects of 
his catholic majesty. 

"Thirdly. That with respect to the fort built on the island 
of St. George, I will draw off that garrison, together with the 
artillery, and all other things by me posted there ; provided 
that none of his catholic majesty's subjects, nor any other per- 
son, shall inhabit, people or fortify the said island ; provided 
also, that no prejudice shall arise to the right of the king my 
master, to the said island, nor to any other dominions or claim 
that his Britannic majesty hath upon the continent: but that 
his right shall remain to the said island, and to all other places 
whatsoever, as if the said garrison had ne^^er been withdrawn: 
and the said garrison shall withdraw within fourteen days after 
the ratification of these articles. 

"Fourthly. I will agree with his excellency the governor of 
St. Augustine, and the council of war, that his Britaimic 
majesty's subjects under my command, shall not molest in any 
manner whatsoever, any of his catholic majesty's subjects, pro- 
vided that his catholic majesty's subjects do not molest any of 
his Britannic majesty's subjects, nor his allies. 

Fifthly. That concerning any differences that have or shall 
arise, concerning the limits of the respective governments and 
dominions of the two crowms, such differences shall remain un- 
decided, until the determination of the respective courts ; and 
that the subjects of each crown here, shall remain in profound 
peace, and not in any manner molest each other, until the de- 
termination of the respective courts on this subject. 

"Lastly. That no person shall be received from any garrison 
in either government, withc^it a passport from the governor to 
whom such person belongs. 



62 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1736. 

"Given under my hand and seal at Frederica, in Georgia the 
27th day of September, 1736. 

"By the power to me given by his excellency James Ogle- 
thorpe, esq. governor and director-general of the new colony of 
Georgia, by his excellency's procuration, bearing date the 27th 
of October, (September?) in the tenth year of the reign of our 
sovereign lord George the second, by the grace of God, king of 
Great-Britain, &c. &c. and in the year of our Lord 1736; I do 
hereby confirm and ratify the above articles with his excellency 
Don Erancisco del Moral Sanches (Villegas?), captain-general 
and governor of St. Augustine of Florida, and with the council 
of war of the said garrison of St. Augustine ; as witness my 
hand and seal this 26th day of October, 1736." 

The counterpart of this treaty, executed by the governor of 
St. Augustine, by the advice and with the consent of a council 
of war, was certified by Bartholomew Niotts, notary-public, in 
due form. But it appeared that the governor of St. Augustine 
was not in the secret of his master's court, for the Spanish min- 
istry at home were very far from being desirous that a fair cor- 
respondence should be established between the two colonies. On 
the contrary their object was to compel the British government 
to relinquish the design of settling the colony of Georgia ; and 
with this view sir Thomas Geraldino, on the first of Septem- 
ber, presented a memorial to his grace the duke of Newcastle, in 
which, among other things, he was pleased to say it was indis- 
putable that the colony of Georgia was settled upon his masters 
dominions ; so that a plainer proof could not be had, that the 
Spaniards were determined if possible, to compel the crown of 
Great-Britain to surrender this settlement. 

In the course of this year, Oglethorpe had been employed in 
strengthening the colony against an anticipated attack from the 
Spaniards, through Florida, notwithstanding the treaty which 
had just been concluded ; and while thus engaged, received a 
message from the governor of Augustine, informing him that a 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1736-37. 53 

vSpaiiish commissioner from the Havanna, had arrived there, in 
order to make certain demands of him, and would meet him 
at Frederica for that purpose. At the same time he had ad- 
vice, that three companies of infantry, had accompanied the 
commissioner to the Spanish settlement. A few days after- 
wards the commissioner came to Georgia by sea, and Oglethorpe 
unwilling to permit his visit at Frederica, despatched a sloop 
to bring him into Jekyl sound, where he intended to hold a 
conference. Here the commissioner demanded that Oglethorpe 
and his people, should without loss of time, evacuate all the 
territories to the southward of St. Helena sound, as they be- 
longed to the king of Spain, who was determined to maintain 
his right to them ; and should Oglethorpe refuse to comply with 
this demand, he declared he had orders to proceed to Charleston, 
and lay his instructions before the governor of that province. 
Oglethorpe endeavored to convince the commissioner that his 
catholic majesty had been misinformed respecting those terri- 
tories, but to no purpose : the demand was positive and peremp- 
tory, and the conference broke off without coming to any agree- 
ment. — Oglethorpe, apprehensive of the danger which threat- 
ened his colony, embarked immediately and sailed for England, 
for the purpose of obtaining a formidable force to meet the 
enemy in case his colony should be invaded. When he arrived 
in England the trustees were convened, and these circumstances 
communicated to them. As war had not yet been formally pro- 
claimed between the two nations, further proceedings were sus- 
pended until late in the summer of 1737, when appearances be- 
came more alarming, and the following petition was presented 
to the king : — 

"The humble memorial of the trustees for establishing the 
colony of Georgia in America, 
"Humbly sheweth, 

"That they being intrusted by your majesty with the care 
of the colony of Georgia, which was formerly part of your 



54 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1737. 

majesty's province of South-Carolina, and your majesty's colony 
of Georgia being very much exposed to the power of the Span- 
iards, and being an object of their envy, by having valuable 
ports upon the homeward passage from the Spanish West- 
Indies, and the Spaniards having increased their force in the 
neighborhood thereof; the trustees, in consequence of the great 
trust reposed in them by your majesty, find themselves obliged, 
humbly to lay before your majesty, their inability, sufficiently 
to protect your majesty's subjects settled in Georgia, under the 
encouragement of your majesty's charter, against this late in- 
crease of forces, and therefore become humble suppliants to 
your majesty, on the behalf of your majesty's subjects settled 
in the province of Georgia, that your majesty would be pleased 
to take their preservation into your royal consideration, that by 
a necessary supply of forces, the province may be protected 
against the great dangers that seem immediately to threaten it. 
All which is most humbly submitted to your majesty's great 
wisdom. 

"Signed by order of the trustees, this 10th day of August, 
1737. Benjamin Martyn, Secretary." 

On the 25th of the same month, Oglethorpe obtained the 
appointment of colonel, with the rank of general and comman- 
der in chief of the forces in South-Carolina and Georgia ; and 
was directed to raise a regiment with all possible expedition for 
the protection of the frontiers of the colonies. As an encour- 
agement for the good behaviour of the soldiers, the trustees re- 
solved to give them an interest in the prosperity and welfare 
of the colony; and accordingly made a grant of land in trust, 
for an allotment of five acres to each soldier of the regiment, to 
be cultivated by him for his own use and benefit, and to hold 
the same during his continuance in the service; and for a fur- 
ther encouragement they resolved, that each soldier, who at 
the end of seven years from the date of his enlistment, should 
be desirous of quitting the service, and should produce his regu- 
lar discharge, and would settle in the colony, should on having 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1738. 55 

his eommariding officers certificate of good behaviour, be en- 
titled to a grant of twenty acres of land. The regiment was 
filled up, embarked and arrived in Georgia, in Sept. 1738. The 
inhabitants of the colony at the close of this year, amounted 
to one thousand one hundred and ten persons, exclusive of those 
who had settled at Augusta, Tybee, Skidaway, Argyle, Thun- 
derbolt, Cumberland and Amelia, who had brought servants and 
come to Georgia, at their own expense. The emigrants of this 
year were principally of German protestants, who settled at 
Ebenezer. 

During Oglethorpe's absence from Georgia, the discontents 
of the people had ripened into a settled aversion to their condi- 
tion : the strict laws of the trustees, respecting the rum trade, 
had created a serious quarrel at Savannah: the fortification at 
Augusta, had induced the traders from Charleston to open stores 
there, as most convenient and profitable for commercial inter- 
course with the Indians. For this purpose, the land carriage 
being expensive, they intended to force their way with loaded 
boats up Savannah river, for the supply of goods to their stores. 
As the boats passed the town of Savannah, a trader, induced 
by advantageous offers for a prohibited article, smuggled rum 
on shore to the soldiers. — Causton who was the chief of the 
bailiffs, nettled with such an infringement of the law, under 
his executive guidance, rashly ordered the boats to be examined, 
the packages to be opened, the casks of rum staved, and the 
offender to be confined. This harsh treatment was resented by 
the governor of Carolina, who deputed one member from the 
council, and one from the legislature, with instructions to pro- 
ceed to Savannah, and enquire into the case, and demand by 
what authority, the person and goods of Carolinians were seized 
and destroyed, in waters where an equal right of navigation was 
claimed, under a law of the colony of Georgia. Time had 
cooled the temper of Causton and his associates, and becoming 
sensible of their error, the trader was released, his goods re- 
stored, compensation allowed for the damages sustained, out 



56 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1738. 

of the trustees funds, and satisfactory concessions made : the 
dispute was settled and the deputies treated with the utmost 
civility. An agreement was entered into, that the Carolina 
traders should not thereafter be interrupted, but that they 
should be assisted and protected in their lawful pursuits ; and 
on the other hand it was engaged, that no spirituous liquors 
should be smuggled amongst the settlers, and that the naviga- 
tion of Savannah river should be open and free to both 
provinces. 

In the meantime the most extravagant accounts of this para- 
dise of the world, were circulated in England : numerous hack- 
ney muses might be instanced, but I shall confine myself to the 
celebrated performance of the reverend Mr. Wesley, where a 
sufficient stock of truth and religion, might be expected to coun- 
terbalance a poetical license : this was said to have been written 
about the time he was courting the smiles of justice Causton's 
niece: the poem is entitled ^'Georgia/' and some verses upon 
Mr. Oglethorpe's second voyage: — 

" See where beyond the spacious ocean lies 
A wide waste land beneath the southern skies. 
Where kindly suns for ages roll'd in vain, 
Nor e'er the vintage saw, or rip'ning grain ; 
Where all things into wild luxuriance ran, 
And burthen'd nature ask'd the aid of man. 
In this sweet climate and prolific soil. 
He bids the eager swain indulge his toil; 
In free possession to the planter's hand. 
Consigns the rich uncultivated land. 
Go you, the monarch cries, go settle there, 
Whom Britain from her plenitude can spare; 
Go, your old wonted industry pursue; 
Nor envy Spain the treasures of Peru." 



" But not content in council here to join, 
A further labor, Oglethorpe, is thine: 
In each great deed, thou claim'st the foremost part. 
And toil and danger charm thy gen'rous heart: 
But chief for this thy warm affections rise; 
For oh! thou view'st it with a parent's eyes: 
For this thou teuipfst the vast tremendous main. 
And floods and storms oppose their threats in vain." 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1738. 5Y 

"He comes, whose life, while absent from your view, 

Was one continued ministry for you; 

For you were laid out all his pains and art, 

Won ev'ry will and soften'd ev'ry heart. 

With what paternal joy shall he relate, 

How views its mother isle, your little state: 

Think while he strove your distant coast to gain, 

How oft he sigh'd and chid the tedious main! 

Impatient to survey, by culture grac'd, 

Your dreary woodland and your rugged waste. 

Fair were the scenes he feign "d, the prospect fair; 

And sure, ye Georgians, all he feign'd was there. 

A thousand pleasures crowd into his breast; 

But one, one mighty thought absorbs the rest, 

And gives nie heav'n to see, the patriot cries, 

Another Britain in the desart rise. 



With nobler products see thy Georgia teems, 
Chear'd with the genial sun's directer beams; 
There the wild vine to culture learns to yield. 
And purple clusters ripen through the field. 
Now bid thy merchants bring their wine no more 
Or from the Iberian or the Tuscan shore: 
No more they need th' Hungarian vineyards draiuy 
And France herself may drink her best Champaign 
Behold! at last, and in a subject land, 
Nectar sufficient for thy large demand: 
Delicious nectar, powerful to improve 
Our hospitable mirth and social love: 
This for thy jovial sons — nor less the care 
Of thy young province, to oblige the fair ; 
Here tend the silk-worm in the verdant shade, 
The frugal matron and the blooming maid." 

The bad effects which would arise from such a picture so 
overcharged, are evident. Idlers who saw this description 
from the pen of a clergyman, and calculated on its truth, re- 
moved to Georgia, under the belief that the labor of one or two 
days in the week, would enable them to dress in silk and riot in 
wine, the remainder of their days: With such expectations 
many came to Georgia, where to their astonishment they found 
nothing but complaints, discontents, poverty, disease and wretch- 
edness. 



58 HI8T0RY OF GEORGIA, 1738. 

The inhabitants discovered that their constitutions would not 
bear the cultivation of the swamp lands, and that the pine lands 
were unproductive : instead of reaping the rich harvest of 
plenty, raising commodities for exportation, and wallowing in 
wealth and affluence, as they had been taught to expect ; the 
labor of several years had not enabled them to provide a coarse 
common subsistence for themselves and families. Under these 
discouragements, numbers withdrew to the Carolina side of the 
river, where the prospects of success were more promising, and 
the magistrates observed the infant colony sinking into ruin. — 
Dispirited by a foresight of the depopulation of the colony, 
they joined the freeholders in and about Savannah, in drawing 
up a petition, representing their condition, and transmitted it 
to the trustees — on this subject their own language will give 
the best impressions: — 

''To the honorable the trustees for establishing the colony of 
Georgia. 

"May it please your honors, 

''We, whose names are under-written, being all settlers, free- 
holders and inhabitants of the province of Georgia, and being 
sensible of the great pains and care exerted by you, in endeavor- 
ing to settle this colony, since it has been under your protec- 
tion and management, do unanimously join to lay before you, 
with the utmost regret, the following particulars. But, in the 
first place, we must beg leave to observe, that it has afforded 
us a great deal of concern and uneasiness, that former repre- 
sentations made to you of the same nature, have not been 
thought worthy of a due consideration, nor even of an answer. 
We have most of us settled in this colony, in pursuance of a 
description and representation of it by you, in Britain; and 
from the experience of residing here several years, do find, 
that it is impossible the measures hitherto laid down for making 
it a colony, can succeed. None of all those who have planted 
their lands, have been able to raise sufficient produce to main- 
tan their families, in bread kind only, even though as much ap- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1738. 59 

plication and industry have been exerted to bring it abont, as 
could be done by men engaged in an affair, in which they be- 
lieve the welfare of themselves and posterity so much depended, 
and which they imagine must require more than ordinary pains 
to make it succeed ; so that by the accumulated expenses every 
year of provisions, clothing, medicines, &c. for themselves, fami- 
lies and servants, several of them have expended all their money, 
nay, even run considerably in debt, and so have been obliged to 
leave off planting, and making further improvements ; and those 
who continue, are daily exhausting more and more of their 
money, and some daily increasing their debts, without a possi- 
bility of being reimbursed, according to the present constitu- 
tion. This being now the general state of the colony, it must 
be obvious, that people cannot subsist by their land according to 
the present establishment ; and this being a truth resulting from 
trial, patience and experience, cannot be contradicted by any 
theoretical scheme of reasoning. The land then, according to 
the present constitution, not being able to maintain the settlers 
here, they must unavoidably have recourse to, and depend upon 
trade ; but to our woful experience likewise, the same causes that 
prevent the first, obstruct the latter ; for though the situation of 
this place is exceedingly well adapted to trade, and if it were 
encouraged might be much more improved by the inhabitants, 
yet the difficulties and restrictions which we hitherto have, and 
at present do labor under, debar us of that advantage. Timber 
is the only thing we have here which we can export, and not- 
withstanding we are obliged to fall it in planting our land, yet 
we cannot manufacture it fit for foreign market, but at double 
the expense of other colonies ; as for instance, the river of May, 
which is but twenty miles from us, with the allowance of ne- 
groes, load vessels with that commodity at one half of the price 
that we can do ; and what should induce persons to bring ships 
here, when they can be loaded with one half of the expense so 
near us ? therefore the timber on the land is only a continual 
charge to the possessors of it, though of very great service in 



60 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1738. 

all the northern colonies, where negroes are allowed, and conse- 
quently labor cheap. We do not in the least doubt, but that in 
time, silk and wine may be produced here, particularly the for- 
mer ; but since the cultivation of lands with white servants only, 
cannot raise provision for our families, as before mentioned, 
therefore it is likewise impossible to carry on these manufac- 
tures according to the present constitution. It is very well 
known that Carolina can raise every thing that this colony can, 
and they having their labor so much cheaper, will always ruin 
our market, unless we are in some measure on a footing with 
them ; and as in both, the lands are worn out in four or five 
years, and then fit for nothing but pasture, we must always be 
at a great deal more expense than they in clearing new land for 
planting. The importation of necessaries for life comes to us 
at the most extravagant rate ; merchants in general, especially 
of England, not being willing to supply the settlers with goods 
upon commission, because no person here can make them any 
security of their lands and improvements, as is very often prac- 
tised in other places, to promote trade, where some of the em- 
ployers money is laid out in necessary buildings and improve- 
ments, fitted for the trade intended ; without which it cannot be 
carried on. The benefit of the importation, therefore, is to all 
transient persons, who do not lay out any money among us, but 
on the contrary carry every penny out of the place ; and the 
chief reason for their enhancing the price, is, because they can- 
not get any goods here, either on freight or purchase for another 
merchant. If the advantage accruing from importation cen- 
tered in the inhabitants, the profit thereof would naturally cir- 
culate amongst us, and be laid out in improvements in the 
colony. 

"Your honors, we imagine, are not insensible of the numbers 
that have left this province, not being able to support them- 
selves any longer, and those still remaining, who have money 
of their own, and credit with their friends, have laid out most 
of the former in improvements, and lost the latter by doing it 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1738. . 61 

on such precarious titles ; and upon account of the present estab- 
lishment, not above two or three persons, except those brought 
on charity, and servants sent by you, have come here for the 
space of two years past, either to settle land or encourage trade, 
neither do we hear of any such likely to come, until we are on 
better terms. 

''It is true, his majesty has been graciously pleased to grant 
a regiment for the defence of this province and the neighboring 
colony, which indeed will much assist us in defending ourselves 
asainst our enemies, but otherwise does not in the least con- 
tribute to our support ; for all that part of their pay which is ex- 
pended here, is laid out with transient people and our neighbors 
of Carolina, who are capable of supporting them with provisions 
and other necessaries at a moderate price, which we as before 
observed, are not at all capable of doing upon the present estab- 
lishment: This being our present condition, it is obvious what 
the consequences must be. 

''But we, for our parts, having entirely relied on, and confided 
in your good intentions, believing you would redress such 
grievances that should arise, and now by long experience from 
industry and continual application to improvement on our 
land, do find it impossible to pursue it, or subsist ourselves any 
longer, according to the present nature of the constitution : And 
likewise believing that you will agree to the measures which are 
found by experience, capable of making this colony succeed, and 
to promote which, we have spent all our money, time and labor. 
We do from a sincere regard to its welfare, and in duty, both 
to you and ourselves, beg leave to solicit your immediate con- 
sideration to the two following chief causes of these our misfor- 
tunes, and the deplorable state of the colony; and which, we 
are certain, if granted, would be an infallible remedy to both : 

"First. The want of a free title or fee simple to our lands, 
which if granted, would occasion great numbers of new settlers 
to come amongst us, and likewise encourage those who remain 
here, cheerfully to proceed in making further improvements, as 



62 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1738. 

well to retrieve their sunk fortunes, as to make provision for 
their posterity. 

"Second. The want and use of negroes with proper limita- 
tions, which if granted, would both induce great numbers of 
white people to come here, and also render us capable of sub- 
sisting ourselves by raising provisions upon our lands, until we 
could make some produce from it for exportation, and in some 
measure to balance our importation. We are very sensible of 
the inconveniencies and mischiefs that have already and do daily 
arise from an unlimited use of negroes ; but we are as sensible 
that these might be prevented by a proper limitation, such as, 
so many to each white man, or so many to such a quantity of 
laud, or in any other manner which your honors shall think 
most proper. By granting us, gentlemen, these particulars, and 
such other privileges as his majesty's most dutiful subjects in 
America enjoy, you will not only prevent our impending ruin, 
but we are fully satisfied also, will soon make this the most 
flourishing colony possessed by his majesty in America, and 
your memories will be perpetuated to all future ages, our latest 
posterity sounding your praises as their first founders, patrons 
and guardians: but if, by denying us those privileges, we our- 
selves and families are not only ruined, but even our posterity 
likewise ; you will always be mentioned as the cause and authors 
of all their misfortunes and calamities ; which we hope will 
never happen. 

"We are with all due respect, 
your honors most dutiful, 
and obedient servants. 

Savannah in Georgia, December 9th, 1738." 

This representation was signed by all the freeholders in the 
county of Savannah (now Chatham) except a few, who adhered 
to the arrangements of the trustees, and the plans of the general. 
Copies of this petition were drawn up, and one sent to the Revd 
Mr. Boltzius, at Ebenezer, and another to John Moore M'ln- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 63 

tosh, at Darien. The Germans and Highlanders, not only re- 
fused joining in the petition, but drew up and signed a counter 
one, and Mr. Mcintosh enclosed the one transmitted to him, to 
Oglethorpe, at Frederica. As these petitions form the counter- 
part of the former, and give a true impression of the embarrass- 
ments with which the general had to contend ; it is thought 
proper to insert them: 

"To his Excellency General Oglethorpe. 

''We are informed that our neighbors of Savannah, have peti- 
tioned your excellency for the liberty of having slaves ; we hope 
and earnestly intreat that before such proposals are barkened 
unto, your excellency will consider our situation, and of what 
dangerous and bad consequences such liberty would be to us, for 
many reasons. 

"First. The nearness of the Spaniards, who have proclaimed 
freedom to all slaves who run from their masters, make it impos- 
sible for us to keep them, without more labor in watching them, 
than they would be at to do their work. 

"Second. We are laborious, and know a white man may be 
by the year, more usefully employed than a negro. 

"Third. We are not rich, and becoming debtors for slaves, in 
case of their running away, or dying, would inevitably ruin the 
poor master, and he become a greater slave to the negro mer- 
chant, than the slave he bought could be to him. 

Fourth. It would oblige us to keep a guard duty, at least as 
severe as when we expected a daily invasion ; and if that was 
the case, how miserable would it be to us, and our wives and 
children, to have an enemy without, and a more dangerous one 
in our bosom. 

"Fifth. It is shocking to human nature, that any race of 
mankind, and their posterity, should be sentenced to perpetual 
slavery; nor in justice, can we think otherwise of it, than that 
they are thrown amongst us, to be our scourge one day or other 
for our sins ; and as freedom to them must be as dear as to us, 



64 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

what a sense of horror must it bring about I and the longer it is 
unexecuted, the bloody scene must be the greater. We there- 
fore for our own sakes, our wives and children, and our pos- 
terity, beg your consideration, and intreat that instead of in- 
troducing slaves, you will put us in the way to get some of our 
countrymen, who with their labor, in time of peace, and our 
vigilance, if we are invaded ; with the help of those will render 
it a difficult thing to hurt us, or that part of the province we 
possess. We will forever pray for your excellency, and are with 
all su,bmission. 

Your excellency's most obedient, 
Humble servants, &c. 
New-Inverness (Darien) 3d, Jan. 1739." 

[This petition was signed by eighteen inhabitants of Darien.] 

''To his excellency Gen. Oglethorpe," 

Ebenezer, 13th March, 1739. 
"We the Saltzburghers, and inhabitants of Ebenezer, that 
have signed this letter, intreat humbly in our, and our bre.thren's 
names, your excellency would be pleased to show us the favor of 
desiring the honorable trustees for sending to Georgia, another 
transport of Saltzburghers, to be settled at Ebenezer. We have 
with one accord wrote a letter to our father in God, the Reverend 
Mr. Senior Urlspurger, at Augsperg, and in that letter expressly 
named those Saltzburgers and Austrians, whom, as our friends, 
relations and countrymen, we wish to settle here. We can in- 
deed attest of them, that they fear the Lord truly, love working, 
and will conform themselves to our congregation. We have 
given them an account of our being settled well, and being 
mighty well pleased with the climate and condition of this coun- 
try, having here several preferences in spiritual and temporal 
circumstances, for other people in Germany, which your honor 
will find in the here-enclosed copy of our letter to Mr. Senior 
Urlsperger; if they fare as we do, having been provided in the 
beginning with provisions, a little stock for breeding, some tools 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 65 

and good land, by the care of the honorable trustees, and if God 
grants his blessing to their work, we doubt not, but they will 
gain with us, easily, their bread ' and subsistence, and lead a 
quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty. Though 
it is here a hotter climate than our native country is, yet not so 
extremely hot as we were told on the first time of our arrival ; 
but since we have now been used to the country, we find it toler- 
able, and for working people very convenient, setting themselves 
to work early in the morning, till ten o'clock, and in the after- 
noon, from three to sunset ; and having business at home, we do 
them in our huts and houses, in the middle of the day, till the 
greatest heat is over. People in Germany are hindered by frost 
and snow in the winter, from doing any work in the fields and 
vineyards : but we have this preference, to do the most and 
heaviest work at such a time, preparing the ground sufiiciently 
for planting in the spring. We were told by several people, 
after our arrival, that it proves quite impossible and dangerous 
for white people to plant and manufacture the rice, being a 
work only for negroes, not for European people; but having 
experience of the contrary, we laugh at such a talking, seeing 
that several people of us have had, in last harvest, a greater crop 
of rice than they wanted for their own consumption. If God is 
pleased to enable us, by some money, for building such mills 
convenient for the cleaning the rice, as we use in Germany for 
the making several grains fit for eating, then the manufacture 
of rice will be an easy and profitable thing : For the present we 
crave your excellencies goodness to allow for the use of the 
whole congregation, some rice sieves of several '^'orts, from 
Charleston, which cannot be had at Savannah ; we will be ac- 
countable to the store for them. — Of corn, pease, potatoes, pump- 
kins, &c. we had such a good quantity, that many bushels were, 
and much was spent in feeding calves, cows and hogs. If the 
surveyor, according to his order and duty, had used dispatch in 
laying out our farms, (which we have got not sooner than last 
fall.) Item; if not, we all were disappointed by long sickness, 
5 



66 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

and planting the yellow Pennsylvania corn, we should have 
been able, by the blessing of God, to spare a gi'eater quantity of 
grain, for getting meat kind and clothes, of which we are in 
want. It is true, the ten acres of ground for each families gar- 
den, are set out some time ago ; but there being very few swamps 
fit for planting rice, and some of them wanting a great deal of 
manure, we were not able in the beginning to manure it well, 
therefore we could not make such a good use of those acres as we 
now have reason to hope, by the assistance of God, after our 
plantations are laid out. Hence it is that we plant the good 
ground first, and improve the other soil then, when occasion may 
require it, in the best manner we can. In the first time, when 
the ground must be cleared from trees, bushes and roots, and 
fenced in carefully, we are to undergo some hard labor, which 
afterwards will be easier and more pleasing, when the hardest 
trial is over, and our plantations are better regulated. A good 
deal of time was spent in building huts, houses and other neces- 
sary buildings in town, and upon the farms; and since we 
wanted money for several expences, several persons of us have 
hired ourselves out, for some weeks, for building the orphan- 
house, and its appurtenances. — Item; the Reverend Mr. Gro- 
nau's house, which happened to be built in the hottest summer 
season ; and now some of us are employed to build the Reverend 
Mr. Bolzius' house, which buildings have taken away some time 
from our work in the ground ; but the fair opportunity of earn- 
ing some money at home, was a great benefit to us : this being 
so, that neither the hot summer season, or any thing else, hin- 
ders us from working the ground; and we wish to live a quiet 
and peaceable life at our place. We humbly beseech the hon- 
orable trustees not to allow it, that any negroes might be brought 
to our place, or in our neighborhood ; knowing by experience 
that our fields and gardens will be always robbed by them, and 
white persons be put in danger of life because of them, besides 
other great inconveniences: likewise we humbly beseech you 
and the trustees, not to give any person the liberty of buying 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 67 

up lands at our place, by which, if granted, it would happen, 
that by bad and turbulent neighbors, our congregation would be 
spoiled, and poor harmless people troubled and oppressed; but 
we wish and long for such neighbors to be settled here, whose 
good name and honest behaviour, is known to us and our favor- 
ers. The honorable trustees have been always favorers and 
protectors of poor and distressed people, therefore we beseech 
you and them, they would be pleased to take us farther under 
your fatherly care, that the remembrance of their benevolence 
and kindness to our congregation, might be conveyed to our late 
posterity, and be highly praised. We put up our prayers to 
God for rewarding your excellency, and the honorable trustees 
manifold, for all their good assistance and benefits which are 
bestowed upon us, and humbly beg the continuance of your and 
their favor and protection, being with the gi'eatest submission 
and respect. 

Your honors most obedient dutiful servants." 
[This petition was signed by the inhabitants of Ebenezer.] 

"We the ministers of the congregation at Ebenezer, join with 
the Saltzburghers in this petition, and verify, that every one 
of them has signed it with the greatest readiness and satisfac- 
tion. 

JOHN MARTIK BOBLIUS, 
ISRAEL CHRISTIAN GRONDER." 

If the same people had been settled in a country, some hun- 
dreds of leagues from the other colonies of Great-Britain, out 
of the reach of such examples and indulgencies as were granted 
to the Carolinians, it is probable that they might have submitted 
to the regulations which were established for their government : 
but they considered themselves as forming a bulwark on ad- 
vanced ground, for the defence of their neighbors and their 
property, against the Spaniards. Notwithstanding the trustees 
required nothing from the people, but what they had bound 
themselves by covenants and indentures to perform, yet they 



68 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

considered themselves as subjects to the same king, consequently 
entitled to the same privileges. The Germans and Highlanders 
having been brought up in the habits of industry, yielded to a 
fulfilment of their contracts for the public good, and under a 
full confidence that the trustees would, in due time, extend to 
them such privileges as would eventually tend to their interest 
and happiness. The people about Savannah, having been, not 
only useless members, but burthensome to society at home, de- 
termined to be equally so abroad; and as they generally, had 
nothing to loose, they determined obstinately to persist in their 
demands until their wishes were gratified, or the colony ruined. 
Idleness and dissipation prevailed to such a formidable degree, 
that the people were on the verge of starvation. The object 
of the trustees was to compel them to labor, and their object 
was to live without labor. There were many reasons however, 
on account of which, the complaints of the settlers were entitled 
to some notice by their patrons. The land about Savannah was 
granted indiscriminately, without any regard to its quality, or 
the ability of the owner to cultivate it: some of the lots were 
rich and valuable, others poor. The farmer who was obliged 
to cultivate pine land, was absolutely compelled to plant where 
he could not reap a valuable consideration for his labor. The 
river or swamp land was clothed with an immense quantity of 
heavy timber, and with all the advantages of experience, it re- 
quires twenty hands one year, to put forty acres of it in a con- 
dition for advantageous cultivation. The air from the swamps 
was pregnant with nauseous qualities, generating disease and 
ending in debility : the sea-breezes could not penetrate the thick 
forest sufficiently to agitate the air, which at some seasons, is 
thick, heavy and foggy, at others, clear, close and suffocating; 
either of which was considered pernicious to health. The poor 
settlers considered that the wild beasts had been robbed of their 
birth-right, when this howling wilderness was fixed on for a 
human habitation. The progress of the colony was also re- 
tarded by wild speculative schemes, of its most favorable pro- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 69 

ductions: silk and wine appear to have been the delusive phan- 
toms that misled the trustees. The first objects of cultivation 
should have been directed to necessary food and clothing for 
the people : no other colony lay so convenient for supplying the 
West-Indies with pease, beans, potatoes, &c. for which the de- 
mand was great, and the furnishing these articles would have 
been profitable; though the West-India islands produced those 
articles, the planters would rather have purchased than raised 
them, because they could have turned their attention to other 
species of cultivation which were more profitable. Abundance 
of stock, particularly hogs and cattle, might have been raised 
in Georgia for the same market: lumber was also in demand, 
and might have been rendered profitable to the province, had 
it not been prevented by the restrictions of the trustees. Euro- 
pean grain, such as wheat, rye, barley and oats, would have 
thriven almost as well upon an oyster bank, as on the sandy land 
of Georgia, though the interior is well adapted to their culture. 
Silk and wine were not found to answer their expectations, be- 
cause the process was too tedious for a new colony. 

The complaints of the people of the province, however igno- 
rant they might be, ought not to have been entirely disregarded 
by the trustees: experience suggested those inconveniences and 
troubles, from which they implored relief: the hints they gave, 
certainly ought to have been improved towards correcting er- 
rors in the plan of settlement, and forming another, which 
promised prospects more favorable and advantageous to them. 
The scattered thoughts of simple individuals, sometimes afford 
to wiser men, materials for forming correct opinions, and be- 
come the ground work of the most beneficial regulations. The 
opinion of the people individually, ought not to be excluded 
from the attention and regard of their rulers. The honor of 
the trustees, and the gratification they hoped to experience from 
their laudable undertaking, depended upon the success and hap- 
piness of the settlers; and it was impossible for the people to 
succeed and be happy, deprived of those encouragements, lib- 



70 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

erties and privileges, necessary to the first state of colonization. 
A title for land which would have secured it to themselves and 
their offspring, both male and female, ought to have been given ; 
liberty to choose it of such quality as would promise to reward 
them for their labour, and then to manage it in such manner 
as appeared to themselves most conducive to their interest : these 
would have been incentives to industry, and opened to the view 
of the industrious planter, the prospect of opulence and wealth, 
for himself and his descendants. Such encouragements might 
have been given without opening to the speculator a field for 
the monopoly of land, by the introduction of restrictions in 
their grants, such as the prohibition of mortgages and sales. 

While the people of Georgia were laboring under these diffi- 
culties and petitioning unsuccessfully for relief, the king was 
giving every encouragement for the rapid settlement of the 
adjoining colony. Fee-simple titles were offered for the choice 
of land, unshackled by restrictions, either as to trade or slavery. 



CHAPTER III. 

SEVERAL years had passed without an open rupture be- 
tween England and Spain, yet there was not a good under- 
standing between the two courts ; either as regarded the 
privileges of navigation, or the southern limits of Greorgia. To 
the first, the Spaniards pretended they had an exclusive right 
to the territories and waters lying within certain latitudes in 
the bay of Mexico. The British merchants claimed by treaty, 
the privilege of cutting log-wood on the bay of Campeachy — 
this liberty had been tolerated by Spain for several years, and 
the British merchants from avaricious motives, extended their 
claim of privileges to a traffic with the Spaniards, and supplied 
them with English manufactures. To prevent this illicit trade, 
the Spaniards doubled their maritime force on that station, with 
orders to board and search every English vessel found in those 
seas, and directed seisures to be made on all vessels carrying 
contraband commodities, and the sailors to be confined. At 
length not only smugglers but fair traders were searched and 
detained, so that the commerce was entirely obstructed. — The 
British became clamorous, against such depredations to their 
ministry, which produced one remonstrance after another to 
the Spanish court ; all of which were answered by evasive prom- 
ises and vexatious delays. 

The British minister, notorious for his pacific disposition, 
had long been flattered with promises of enquiry and redress 
of grievances, and suffered the complaints to remain unre- 
dressed, to the injury of the trade, and gTcat loss of the nation. — 
Considerable reinforcements were sent to the garrison at Augus- 
tine, and a surplus of arms, ammunition and provisions, sup- 
posed to be intended for the Indians. These circumstances and 
preparations, with the demands which had been made of Ogle- 
thorpe, were sufficient to show to Georgia and Carolina, the 
necessity of holding themselves in readiness to oppose the hos- 



72 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

tilities which were evidently preparing for them. Lieut, 
governor Bull of South Carolina, despatched advice to England 
of the growing power of Spain in East Florida, and acquainted 
the trustees that such preparations were making there, as evi- 
dently portended hostilities ; and as the Spaniards pretended 
to have a claim to Georgia, there were strong grounds to helieve 
that they intended to assert their claim by force of arms. The 
king resolved to vindicate the honor of his crown, and maintain 
the right to his territories in Georgia, together with the freedom 
of commerce and navigation in the Mexican seas. The pacific 
disposition of his minister, Sir Robert Walpole, had drawn 
upon him the displeasure of the nation, particularly of the 
mercantile part ; and that amazing power and authority which 
he had long maintained, began to decline: the spirit of the 
nation was roused, and the administration could no longer wink 
at the insults, depredations and cruelties, which had been prac- 
tised by Spain. Instructions were despatched to the British 
ambassador at Madrid, to demand in absolute terms, a compen- 
sation for the injuries of trade: this produced an order from 
the Spanish court to the ambassador, to allow the amount to 
the British merchants, upon condition of the Spanish demand 
upon the south-sea company being deducted, and Oglethorpe's 
settlers recalled from Georgia ; and no more employed in that 
quarter, as he had there made great encroachments on his 
Catholic majesty's dominions. These conditions were received 
at the court of Great-Britain with that indignation which might 
have been expected from an injured nation. The Spanish am- 
bassador at London, was informed that the king of England 
was determined, never to relinquish his right to a single foot 
of land in the province of Georgia ; and that he must allow his 
subjects to make reprisals, since satisfaction for their losses 
in trade could in no other way be obtained. 

The Hector and Blanford ships of war, had been ordered to 
transport general Oglethorpe's regiment to Georgia, where they 
arrived in September 1738. The colonists rejoiced at their 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 73 

arrival, having been harrassed by frequent alarms ; thej now 
found themselves relieved, and placed in snch circumstances 
as enabled them to bid defiance to the Spanish povrer. 

The general established his head-quarters at Frederica and 
pla'ced small garrisons on Jekvl and Cumberland islands to 
watch the motions of the enemy. While preparations were 
making in England to guard against the hostility of Spain, the 
Spanish agents from Augustine, had been busily employed in 
seducing the Creek Indians, who had formed a great attach- 
ment for general Oglethorpe, and impressed them with a belief 
that he was at Augustine, and promised them considerable 
presents if they would pay him a visit at that place. Accord- 
ingly some of them went down to see their beloved man, as they 
called him ; but finding he was not there, they were highly of- 
fended at the deception attempted to be practised upon them. 
The Spanish governor in order to cover the fraud, or probably 
with a design to convey their leaders out of the way, that he 
might have the less difliculty in corrupting their nation by a 
Pizarro stratagem, pretended that the general was sick on board 
of a ship in the harbor, where he would be extremely glad to 
see them ; but the Indians, suspicious of some deep design, re- 
fused to go, rejected their presents and offers of alliance, and 
immediately left the place: when they returned to their towns, 
they found an invitation from the general, to meet him at Fred- 
erica, which evidenced to them the insidious designs of the Span- 
iards, and tended to increase the general's influence and power 
over them. A number of the chiefs and warriors repaired to 
the place appointed, where they received the thanks of the gen- 
eral for their fidelity: he made them many valuable presents 
and renewed the treaty of friendship and alliance. At this 
meeting, they offered the general every aid in their power ; 
agreed to march a thousand men to his assistance whenever he 
demanded them, and invited him to pay a visit to their towns : 
he excused himself by stating the multiplicity of business, which 
would necessarily occupy his time in settling the province, and 



74 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

making arrangements for its defence against the Spaniards ; but 
promised them a visit the next summer, and dismissed them 
much pleased with his kindness and hospitality, and disgusted 
with the Spaniards for the deception which was evidently in- 
tended to be practised upon them at Augustine. 

In this state of anxiety and perplexity, the general's mind 
was harrassed with the complaints of the colonists. They wanted 
rum, they wanted slaves, and they wanted fee-simple titles to 
their lands. The following is offered as a sample of their out- 
rageous discontents; and in which was enclosed a copy of the 
petition from the people at Savannah to the trustees: 

To the honorable James Oglethorpe, Esquire, general and com- 
mander in chief over all his majesty's forces in South Caro- 
lina and Georgia, &c. at Frederica. 

"Sin, 

"It is the common misfortune of all who act in the higher 
stations of life, to be surrounded by flatterers, who consult rather 
the humors, passions and prejudices of their patrons, than their 
honor and interest: this should induce every person in such 
station, who regards his own honor, interest and fame, to lend 
an open and attentive ear to truth, in whatever shape, or from 
whatever hand delivered. I have no other basis, motive or in- 
terest in view, farther than as I am a member of the colony, 
and a well wisher to the happiness of society, unless a real and 
sincere regard to your honor and welfare, and an earnest desire 
to restore you to that quiet of mind and the now suspended affec- 
tions of the people, which the present state of affairs must neces- 
sarily deprive you of ; it is not therefore of consequence to en- 
quire who wi'ites, but what is written, I am, sir, a plain dealer, 
and shall, with the greatest respect, use you with more sincerity 
than ceremony, and if any arguments can attain the desired 
effect, you will, I doubt not, think me your and the colony's real 
friend. When a skilful physician would relieve his patient of a 
disease, he traces it from the beginning, and examines the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 75 

sources and progress of it, in order that by finding out the cause, 
he may the more certainly apply a remedy : in the body politic 
the same process is necessary to effect a cure. The present lan- 
guishing and almost desperate condition of the affairs of this 
province, is too obvious to your excellency to need a description : 
be pleased then, to lay aside prepossession and prejudice, to 
retire unto yourself, and examine impartially whence the pres- 
ent misfortunes take rise ; in order to do which, let me present 
your excellency with a view of the nation's designs in establish- 
ing this colony; and indeed they were and are nothing unsuit- 
able to a British or Roman spirit; the establishing a strong 
and numerous settlement as a barrier and safe guard to British 
America. To employ those persons in effecting this end who 
were least useful at home, and others who from reasonableness 
of profit should voluntarily proffer their service: to restore lib- 
erty and happiness to those who, oppressed by the common mis- 
fortunes of mankind, were groaning under the consequences 
of those misfortunes, and incapable of serving themselves or 
country at home: And lastly, to set afoot such new manufac- 
tures as might be most useful to support the colony, or tend 
to rectify the balance of trade of Great-Britain with neighbor- 
ing nations — a design truly great, founded on the justest policy, 
and practicable. To suggest that any low private design was 
ever laid down, that might tend to make the adventurers slaves, 
or, at best, tenants at will ; or that it was a concert to leave the 
industry and substance of the settlers exposed to satisfy the 
ambition or covetousness of an after governor, or any particular 
courtier or party; or to imagine that the honorable board of 
trustees or any of tl^em, could be capable of such a concert; I 
say, sir, that such a thought were impious. What wonder then, 
if numbers of persons, encouraged by his majesty's most ample 
rights and privileges, granted in his royal charter to the hon- 
orable trustees for the behalf of the inhabitants ; from the beau- 
tiful description of the fertility of the soil and happiness of the 
climate ; and lastly, from a view that Mr. Oglethorpe, a gentle- 



76 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

man of the greatest humanity and generosity, was willing to 
sacrifice his ease, and all those pleasures and enjoyments which 
his easy circumstances in life intitled him to, in order to be 
the patron and father of the distressed, and the distinguished 
friend of his country, society and human nature : I say, sir, no 
wonder if numbers upon those views, embarked their persons, 
families and fates, in such an adventure. Shall any thing then 
intervene to render such a noble design abortive, and frustrate 
those of their expected happiness, or your excellency of your 
deserved honors ? God forbid ! 

"This colony consists of two sorts of people ; either those 
whom the public sent over, or volunteers ;* who were not bur- 
thensome to the public ; both now I look upon in the same light, 
as either party have exhausted their support or private stocks, 
in endeavoring to prosecute the intended plan ; but it shall 
suffice for my argument, that so many of each kind have ap- 
plied themselves to this purpose as are sufficient to confirm the 
experiment, that it is impossible for us, with British or for- 
eign servants, to afford the lowest necessaries of life, much 
less to increase our stocks, or defray the many exigencies and 
disappointments that this soil and climate, are inevitably ex- 
posed to : this I take to be granted ; and would to Grod the suc- 
cess of the colony depended on establishing the most satisfac- 
tory proofs of it ! And as for persons who, from selfish views, 
have imposed upon the credulity of the honorable trustees, by 
representing things in colors distant from truth ; it were super- 
fluous to eurse them. I do not say, but in time manufactures 
may be founded more suitable to the strength and constitution 
of British servants, that might support and enrich the colony ; 
I heartily pray for that happy period ; and should then con- 
demn and dissent from any who would not be content with the 
present regulation ; but as in the interim, production of neces- 
saries is absolutely requisite, and under the present establish- 
ment impracticable ; it follows of course, that either the scheme 

* Such as came at their own expense. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 77 

must be altered or the design abandoned. At the first it was 
a trial, now it is an experiment; and certainly no man or so- 
ciety need be ashamed to own, that from unforseen emergencies 
the hypothesis did misgive; and no person of judgment would 
censure for want of success when the proposal was probable ; 
but all the world would exclaim against that person or society, 
who through mistaken notions of honor, and positiveness of 
temper, would persist in pushing an experiment, contrary to 
all probability, to the ruin of the adventurers. How many 
methods may be found out by the wisdom of the trustees, for 
remedying this inconvenience, I know not; one only occurs 
to me, which is, the admitting a certain number of negroes, 
sufficient to ease the white servants from those labors that are 
most fatal to a British constitution: I am very sensible of the 
inconveniences of an unlimited use of them in a frontier colony ; 
but am as sensible that those inconveniences may be prevented 
by prudent regulations; and their admission for executing the 
more laborious parts of culture, made the means to attract num- 
bers of white servants, who would otherwise fly the place aa a 
purgatory or charnel-house. If our labor and toil is not capable 
of providing mere necessaries by cultivation of land, much less 
by trade ; for as all the neighboring colonies, by reason of their 
negroes, prosecute all branches of it at a sixth part of the ex- 
pense we can; they would forever preclude us of any benefit 
therefrom: and supposing what cannot be admitted, that the 
nation would consent to give a perpetual fund for making up 
all those deficiencies, what benefit could we accrue to the na- 
tion ? or what to the settlers, but a present bare subsistence ? 
and what the certain consequence but the bequeathing a numer- 
ous legacy of orphans to the care of Providence, since no period 
of time can be afiixed when such a support would enable us to 
provide for ourselves ? A second reason which disables us to 
improve either by land or trade, is our want of credit: You 
know very well, that both the mercantile and mechanic part of 
mankind, live more by credit than stock ; and the man who has 



78 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739, 

a probable scheme of improving credit, is naturally intitled to 
it: As we have no stock further to dispense, either in culti- 
vation or trade, we are reduced to need the support of credit ; 
which the present restrictions of our legal rights and titles to 
our land deprive us of. It is true, indeed the trustees have as- 
sured us, that those and other restrictions, are only temporary, 
and for the welfare of the first settlement, until a proper body 
of laws, which was upon the carpet, should be perfected ; and I 
am far from disputing the reasonableness of that resolution, 
while either the public support or private stocks, kept us from 
needing credit; but that now the case is altered, the necessity 
of moving those restrictions is arrived, to preserve the remains 
of the colony not yet dissolved, and far too late for hundreds, 
whom necessity has dispersed in other corners of the world: 
this is a truth sir, too obvious to need further enlargement. 

"Hence it is clear we can insist on demanding our privileges 
as British subjects, from the trustees' promises ; but we like- 
wise claim them as law, justice and property. Your excellency 
was pleased in the court-house of Savannah, to use a compari- 
son to satisfy the minds of the people, of a man who would lend 
his horse but not his saddle, which one refusing another ac- 
cepted of: this I humbly take it, no way meets the case: the 
king's majesty was owner both of horse and saddle, of the lands 
and rights, and gave us both in his charter ; we ask but what 
is there given us. The reliance on the public faith brought us 
to this colony, and to endeavor to obviate or disappoint the 
effects of those promises which tempted us here, were to justify 
the decoying us to misery, under the sanction of the royal au- 
thority, than which nothing could be more injurious to the 
fountain of honor. I shall suppose, that were full and ample 
rights given, that some idle persons, who had no judgment to 
value, or inclination to improve their properties, no affections 
for their families or relations, might dispose of their rights 
for a glass of rum ; but I absolutely deny that the colony could 
loose bv such an exchange : I own that such persons were much 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 79 

safer if bound than at liberty ; but where the affections of the 
parent and the reason of the man die, the person is a fitter in- 
habitant for moor-field than Georgia. I must notice farther, 
that not only are parents incapable for want of credit, to pro- 
vide for themselves, being necessitated to dispose of their serv- 
ants for want of provisions ; but if they could, only their eldest 
son could reap the benefit, their younger children, however 
numerous, are left to be fed by him who feeds the ravens ; and 
if they have no children, their labor and substance descends to 
strangers: how sir, would you, or indeed any free born spirits, 
brook such a tenure ? are not our younger sons and daughters 
equally entitled to our bowels and affections ? and does human 
nature end with our first born, and not extend itself to the rest 
of our progeny and more distant relations ? and is it not in- 
verting the order of nature, that the eldest son should not only 
enjoy a double portion, but exclude all the younger children ? 
and having an interest independent of the parents, how natural 
is it he should withdraw that obedience and subjection, which 
proceeds from parental authority and filial dependance ! the 
trustees are but a channel to convey to us the king's rights, and 
cannot in law or equity, and I dare say, will not abridge those 
rights. Can we suppose that we are singled out for a state 
of misery and servitude, and that so many honorable person- 
ages are instruments of it? far be the thoughts from us! the 
genius of the British nation, so remarkably zealous for liberty 
and the rights of mankind, will never suffer British subjects, 
who have not fled their country from crimes, but voluntarily 
proffered their services and resigned their all, upon the confi- 
dence of the public faith and the trustees' honor, to accomplish 
a settlement upon the most dangerous point of his majesty's 
dominions : I say, it will never allow such to be deprived of 
public promises, or the natural liberties of British subjects ; 
as we are on a frontier, where our lives and fortunes may more 
frequently come into dispute than other people's, our privileges 
and supports should be proportionably greater ; for who would 



80 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

venture his life to secure no property, or fia-lit to secure to him- 
self poverty and misery ? and no doubt our cunning and vigilant 
adversaries, the French and Spaniards, would know how to 
make their own advantage : the king has been very gracious, and 
your endeavors generous and useful, in procuring a regiment, 
and not only the support of the soldiers, but your own honor, 
glory and reputation, are intermixed with the fate of the colony, 
and must stand or fall with it. 

"To come closer to the point ; please to consider the conse- 
quences of refusing the representation of the colony, whereof 
your excellency as one of the honorable board will be furnished 
with a copy, and how these consequences may affect the colony, 
the nation, the trustees, the military establishment in the prov- 
ince, the Indians, and your excellency. 

"As to the colony, the deferring hitherto the necessary relief, 
has already too tragically affected it, by dispersing a great part 
of the inhabitants ; the remainder in a languishing condition, 
supported more with faint hopes and a continued reliance on 
the honor of the nation and trustees, than victuals ; while want 
and meagre famine guard the doors of many, and render them 
equally incapable to stay or go : the town so beautifully situated 
to the honor of the contriver, bearing the most visible signs of 
decay and mortality before it is fully born ; and the once cul- 
tivated plantations now overgrown with weeds and brush, are 
so many hie jaceis of such and such persons and families ! I 
wish it were possible to draw a veil over this tragic scene ! but 
sir, our case is more claimant than a thousand tongues, and 
^vill reach the ears and i^ierce the hearts of every free Briton. 
If such be the effects of delay, what will the total dissolution 
of the colony produce ? Such a body of miserable people, or- 
phans and suppliants, will be heard by the justice of the nation ; 
and if it shall appear, that they too, positively adhering to an 
impracticable scheme, and the refusing those obvious means 
that would answer the proposed end, or with-holding those just 
rights which we are entitled to, have been the cause; we should 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 81 

have a right to recover damages from the authors of our misery : 
in all places where settlements were attempted by the English, 
and found untenable, the settlers were taken home upon public 
charge, their losses were recompensed, and they made otherwise 
useful to the community; while we are neither allowed to do 
for ourselves here or elsewhere. As to the second point, how 
the nation would be affected by it: it is first obvious, that all 
the noble ends and advantages they proposed are lost, and sums 
of money expended to no purpose, but to inform the French 
and Spaniards of the importance of a pass which they would 
not fail to possess. It were impossible to make a second set- 
tlement upon the present plan, and if it is to be altered in favor 
of others, why not of us, who have risqued and spent our all 
in the adventure ? How the trustees may be affected by it in 
all respects, I shall not say ; a parliamentary enquiry into their 
management, I no ways question but they would entirely sat- 
isfy; but all good men will regret, that so honorable a body 
should lose that glory and fame, which the prosperous success 
of the colony would have crowned them with. I have formerly 
asserted, that only the flourishing state of the colony, can sup- 
port the military; and indeed without a colony, it were easier 
to maintain a garrison in Tangier on the coast of Africa, than 
in the south of Georgia. One regiment would little sufiice to 
withstand the enemy; and yet so small a handful may be re- 
duced to discontent, straits and want, notwithstanding all the 
bounty of a king, or prudence of a general. As to the Indians, 
what could we expect less than being scorned and despised? 
that they should immediately fall in with the tempting proffers 
of the French and Spaniards, and so Great-Britain cut off 
from that valuable branch of the Indian trade ; for how indeed 
could they expect execution of treaties or protection from people 
who, without the force of an enemy, could not preserve their 
own schemes of government from falling to pieces. How the 
tragedy must affect your excellency, would be presumption in 
me to determine : I only know, that to see those you honor with 



82 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

the name of children, in want and misery; that settlement 
which should have perpetuated your name to posterity with the 
greatest honor, become the foil of all your great undertakings, 
and the expectations of all the world, from your promising en- 
deavors, setting in a cloud and obscurity, must affect your ex- 
cellency in a way suitable to your humane and generous dis- 
position. 

"Sir, we still love, honor and respect you, whatever low selfish 
minded persons, the bane of society, may surmise to the con- 
trary ; and will continue to do so, while we can have any hopes 
of your pursuing measures consistent with our prosperity : but, 
sir, smiles cannot be expected amidst disappointments and 
wants ; and there is no altering the course of nature. Love and 
gratitude are the tribute of favors and protections, and resent- 
ment the consequence of injuries received; and in disappoint- 
ments of this nature much more reasonably than in those of 
love, do the contrary passions take place in the same degree. 
What then remains, but that you embrace those obvious meas- 
ures, that will retrieve our desperate affairs ; restore to us, in 
Mr. Oglethorpe, our father and protector, whose honor and 
affection was depended upon ; secure to yourself a society that 
loves and honors you ; and who will always be ready to sacrifice 
both life and fortune to your honor and protection; and your 
name with blessings will be perpetuated. If in this I have, by 
a sincere and well meant freedom, given offence, I heartily 
ask pardon ; none was intended : and I only request, that while 
truth keeps the stage, the author may be allowed to remain 

incog, behind the scenes." 

"The Plain Dealer." 
[This letter was attributed to the pen of Patrick Tailfer.] 

When Gen. Oglethorpe received this letter, he had devoted 
six years of the prime of his life to their service ; crossed the 
Atlantic Ocean five times; spent a large portion of his private 
funds; exposed his person to hardships in an inhospitable cli- 
mate and to the dangers of the sea ; secluded himself from the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 83 

society of a court, where he 'might have rolled in easy affluence 
and indulged in luxury. These sacrifices were made without 
the expectation of any other reward, than the gratification of 
closing a well spent life, with the sweet consolation of having 
devoted a considerable portion of it to the good of his country, 
and to the happiness and advantage of his fellow-creatures. 

Foreseeing that no bounds could be limited to the introduc- 
tion of slaves, which would not be ruinous to the colony in its 
present situation, he determined to persevere in the prohibition 
of negroes, until the state of the country would justify a change 
of policy. 

The darling object of general Oglethorpe, was to restrain the 
Spaniards to the south of St. Johns ; for which purpose he had 
a chain of forts from Augusta to the mouth of that river. The 
geography of the country at that time was very little known, 
and in support of his claim, in his discussions with the Span- 
iards, he contended that the St. Johns was the real southern 
branch of the Alatamaha. His establishments on St. Simons 
and Jekyl, were very considerable and admirably built. His 
large brewery on Jekyl, furnished beer for all the troops in 
great abundance; but notwithstanding his determination to 
keep ardent spirits out of the province, it was found imprac- 
ticable after the arrival of his regiment, and so feeble were 
the exertions to suppress this uncontrolable desire of quaffing 
this nectar of the Scotch, that gen. Oglethorpe, while setting 
in the drawing rooms of respectable settlers or officers, they 
would frequently retire to an adjoining room and indulge in 
the use of ardent spirits ; at the smell of which he would say — 
woe to the liquor if it came to his sight: that which he discov- 
ered was always thrown away. In short, we can have but feint 
ideas of .the difficulties which he had to encounter, to preserve 
that kind of order and support those rules, which he thought 
best calculated for the government of the people. 

Before the general returned from England, several mer- 
chants and captains of vessels, having their own interest only 



84 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

in view, carried into the colony from New- York and other 
places, large cargoes of provisions and other articles, which 
the store-keeper at Savannah had been bribed to purchase on 
account of the trustees, without their authority. The amounts 
were considerable and the funds were found unequal to the 
discharge of the debts. The trustees, having a due regard to 
their public credit, gave public notice, that all the expenses 
which they had ordered, or should thereafter order to be in- 
curred in America, for the use of the colony, should be defrayed 
and paid for in Georgia, in sola bills of exchange only, under 
their seal: and that no person whatsoever had any authority 
from them, or in their name, or for their account, to purchase 
or receive any cargoes of provisions, stores or other necessaries, 
without paying for them in the said sola bills. 

The trustees, both by letters and instructions, to their mag- 
istrates, had frequently exhorted and encouraged the people 
to the cultivation of their lands as a source on which they must 
soon depend for their support; and as many of those who were 
sent over on the charity of the trustees, as well as others who 
had come from other colonies for a temporary maintenance, 
continuing in their idle habits, had become burthensome vaga- 
bonds ; they gave orders to discontinue supplies to those who 
neglected to cultivate their lands. 

In the last year, the assembly of South-Carolina, passed an 
ordinance for raising a sum to indemnify their traders, in op- 
position to an act which was approved by his majesty in coun- 
cil, for maintaining the peace with the Indians in the province 
of Georgia : upon a memorial from the trustees complaining 
of the ordinance of Carolina, and upon a petition of the coun- 
cil and assembly of South-Carolina, against the act approved 
by his majesty, there was a solemn hearing before the lords 
commissioners of trade and plantations, and afterwards, before 
a committee of the lords of his majesty's privy council : Where- 
upon his majesty was pleased to order, that the said ordinance 
of South-Carolina, should be repealed and declared void; and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 85 

to instruct the trustees to prepare a proper act or ordinance, 
for settling the trade carried on by the provinces of South-Caro- 
lina and Georgia with the Indians, on such footing as might 
be mutually beneficial to both provinces ; which was notified 
to the governor of South-Carolina. General Oglethorpe was 
also furnished with a copy, accompanied with instructions, to 
consult with lieut. governor Bull; that the result of their de- 
liberations might be transmitted to the trustees for their con- 
sideration; and that in the mean time, the commissioners of 
the two provinces, might proceed to concert such measures as 
to carry on a mutual trade with the Indians in both provinces. 

William Stephens, who had lately been appointed secretary 
in Georgia, informed the trustees that the grand jury at Sa- 
vannah, claimed the right of administering oaths, and making 
enquiry thereon, into all such matters as they should think fit ; 
and the trustees having perceived in a representation from 
them, that they had exercised such power, Stephens was in- 
structed to acquaint them, that the trustees were sensible of 
the mischievous consequences which might arise from the ex- 
ercise of such power, by having themselves placed upon the 
pannel, if this claim of the grand jury was admitted. 

In another letter received by the trustees from Stephens, he 
renewed the representation of the uneasiness and discontents 
which prevailed amongst the people, against the tenures upon 
which they held their lands, and related many instances of in- 
justice being practised by the male heir, against the widowed 
mother and her other children. He urged for their consider- 
ation that the colony had been so long established, the inhabi- 
tants become so numerous, and a regiment being stationed in 
the province for its defence ; the former tenure had become 
less necessary: accordingly on the 15th of March, 1739, at their 
annual meeting, the trustees passed a resolution, that in de- 
fault of male issue, any legal possessor of land, might by a deed 
in writing, or by his last will and testatment, appoint his daugh- 
ter as his successor, or any other male or female relation ; with 



86 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

a proviso, that the successor should in the proper court in Geor- 
gia, personally claim the lot granted or devised, within eighteen 
months after the decease of the grantor or devisor. This privi- 
lege was soon after extended to every legal possessor, who was 
empowered to appoint any other person to be his successor. 
Whilst the trustees were employed in altering their former 
regulations for the satisfaction of the colonists, the petitions 
were received, for and against the introduction of negroes. It 
is worthy of remark, that the industrious Germans and High- 
landers, who were busily employed in the cultivation of their 
farms, were opposed to the principles of slavery. These were 
forcible arguments in favor of an adherence to their former 
plans and regulations, and no doubt formed the basis on 
which the rejection of the petition from Savannah was founded. 
While the general was preparing his colony for defence 
against the invasion of an enemy, and harassed and perplexed 
with the complaints of his settlers, treason had found its way 
into the centre of his camp, and a deep laid plot had been 
planned to assassinate him. Two companies of his regiment 
had been drawn from Gibralter, some of whom could speak 
the Spanish language: detachments from these companies had 
been stationed on Cumberland Island, and the Spanish out- 
posts on the other side, could approach so near as to converse 
with them : one man of these companies had been in the Span- 
ish service, and not only understood their language, but had so 
much of the old Roman Catholic spirit, as to feel an aversion 
to the Protestant religion. The Spaniards had found through 
this villain the means of corrupting the minds of several of 
the British soldiers, and they united in forming a design to mur- 
der general Oglethorpe, and then make their escape to Augus- 
tine. Accordingly the day was fixed, and the soldiers who 
were concerned in the plot, came up to the general, and made 
some extraordinary demands, as a pretext for the execution 
of their diabolical purposes; which as they expected, being re- 
fused, a signal being given which was well understood, one of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 87 

them discharged his piece at the general, and being only at the 
distance of a few paces, the ball passed over his shoulder, and 
the powder burned his face and singed his cloathes : another pre- 
sented his piece and attempted to fire, but the powder only 
flashed in the pan ; a third drew his hanger and endeavored to 
stab him: the general by this time, having drawn his sword, 
parried the thrust, and an officer came up, run the ruffian 
through the body and killed him upon the spot. The mutineers 
discouraged by the failure of their first eifort, attempted to es- 
cape by flight, but were caught and laid in irons, A court mar- 
tial was ordered to try the ring-leaders of this desperate con- 
spiracy, some of whom were found guilty and sentenced to be 
shot. Thus miraculously the general escaped, and the princi- 
pal conspirators fell victims to that fate, which their conduct 
had so justly merited. 

Another and more dreadful effort of Spanish policy, was at- 
tempted to be practiced about the same time in South-Carolina, 
and would, if it had succeeded, have been attended with the 
most fatal, bloody and dreadful consequences. Emissaries had 
been sent from Augustine to Carolina, with a design to stir 
up an insurrection amongst the negroes, whose number had 
by that time amounted to forty thousand, while the white popu- 
lation was estimated at about one-eighth of that number. This 
race of people whose constitutions were adapted to the climate, 
and who could not be supposed to be contented in slavery, would 
grasp with avidity at the most desperate attempts which prom- 
ised freedom. Long had liberty and protection been promised 
and proclaimed to them, by the Spaniards at Augustine, nor 
were the negroes strangers to the proclamation. At different 
times the emissaries of Spain had been detected in tampering 
with them, and the present moment seemed to be favorable for 
the adoption of the means of depopulating Carolina, and con- 
sequently Georgia, by a general massacre. The governor of 
Florida had formed a regiment of these refugees, and appointed 
officers from amongst themselves, allowing them the same pay, 



88 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

clothing, subsistence and other privileges, with the regular 
Spanish soldiers. The slaves of Carolina were aware of these 
inducements, and when thej ran away from their masters, di- 
rected their course to Augustine. At length negro sergeants 
were employed on the recruiting service, and had a secret ren- 
dezvous in Carolina. Two Spaniards were seized in Georgia 
and committed to prison, for enticing slaves from Carolina to 
join this regiment : five negroes belonging to captain M'Pherson, 
who had been employed in herding cattle ; after wounding his 
son, and killing another man, made their escape to Florida and 
were protected : at length a number of negroes collected at Stono, 
hoisted their standard, proclaimed open rebellion, marched 
through the country with drums beating and colours flying; 
plundered and burned several houses, and murdered men, wo- 
men and children; and but for the circumstance of the white 
men's carrying their guns with them to church, from a dread 
of the Indians, a most bloody scene must have ensued. The 
whole country was in a state of terror and consternation, expect- 
ing to be sacrificed to the power and indiscriminate fury of 
their slaves : fortunately the armed men from the church made 
a judicious attack upon their head quarters and they were dis- 
persed. When the governor of South-Carolina advised general 
Oglethorpe of the insurrection, he doubled his vigilance in 
Georgia, and seized all straggling Spaniards and negroes, who 
were found passing through the province. 

In the mean time matters were hastening to a rupture in 
Europe, and a war between Great-Britain and Spain appeared 
to be unavoidable. The plenipotentiaries appointed for set- 
tling the boundaries between Georgia and Florida, and other 
differences subsisting between the two crowns, had met at 
Pardo in convention, where preliminaries were drawn up; but 
the conference ended unsatisfactorily to both parties. The 
proposal of a negociation and the appointment of plenipoten- 
tiaries, gave universal offence to the people of England, who 
breathed nothing but war and vengeance against the proud 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 89 

and arrogant Spaniards: hostile preparations were made; all 
the officers of the navy and army were ordered to their sta- 
tions, and with the unanimous voice of the nation, war was 
declared against Spain on the 23d of October, 1739. 

The settlers of Georgia had not increased with that rapidity 
which had been anticipated by the trustees, nor was its condi- 
tion by any means flourishing, considering the immense sums 
of money which they had expended. The number of the former, 
and the amount of the latter, up to this period, will be satis- 
factory to the reader. 

Number of Inhabitants, as added Contributions, 

from the first year. L. S. D. 

First year 152 3,723 13 7 

Second do 341 11,502 19 3 

Third do 81 31,416 7 7 

Fourth do 470 2,164 19 6f 

Fifth do 32 13,627 18 7 

Sixth do 298 20,909 19 10^ 

Seventh do 9 8,473 9 4 

Eighth do 138 20,181 4 3^ 

Total ll,521 112,000 12 Of 

The people above mentioned were brought to Georgia and 
supported at the expense of the trustees : those who came at 
their own expense and supported themselves, are not included, 
nor is the number of them known. 

It appears from this calculation, that the poor people brought 
to Georgia by the trustees, cost them three hundred and thirty 
dollars each. Nine hundred and fifteen persons of the number 
above-mentioned, were British subjects, and six hundred and 
six were foreign protestants ; and of the whole, six hundred 
and eighty-six, were men capable of bearing arms. 

Ninety-four thousand pounds of the above amount, was ap- 
propriated by the British parliament, and the balance, raised 
by private contributions. 



90 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

The answer of the trustees to the representation from the in- 
habitants of Savannah, the 9th of December 1738, for altering 
the tenure of their lands, and introducing negroes into the 
colony, was received in September, 1739. 

''To the magistrates of the town of Savannah, in the province 

of Georgia." 

"The trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia, in 
America, have received by the hands of Mr. Benjamin Ball, of 
London, merchant, an attested copy of a representation, signed 
by you the magistrates, and many of the inhabitants of Savan- 
nah, on the 9th of December last, for altering the tenure of the 
lands, and introducing negroes into the province, transmitted 
from thence by Mr. Robert Williams. 

''The trustees are not surprised to find unwary people drawn 
in by crafty men, to join in a design of extorting by clamor 
from the trustees, an alteration of the fundamental laws, framed 
for the preservation of the people, from those very designs. 
But the trustees cannot but express their astonishment, that 
you the magistrates, appointed by them to be the guardians of 
the people, by putting those laws in execution, should so far 
forget your duty, as to put yourselves at the head of this at- 
tempt. However, they direct you to give the complainants this 
answer from the trustees, that they should deem themselves 
very unfit for the trust reposed in them by his majesty on their 
behalf, if they could be prevailed upon by such an irrational 
attempt, to give up a constitution, framed with the greatest 
caution, for the preservation of liberty and property; and of 
which the laws against the use of slaves and for the entail of 
lands, are the surest foundations. 

"And the trustees are the more confirmed in their opinion 
of the unreasonableness of this demand, because they have re- 
ceived petitions, from Darien, and other parts of the province, 
representing the inconvenience and danger, which must arise 
to the good people of the province from the introduction of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 91 

negroes ; and as the trustees themselves are fully convinced, that 
besides the hazard attending that introduction, it vrould destroy 
all industry among the white inhabitants ; and that by giving 
them a power to alien their lands, the colony would soon be 
too much like its neighbors; void of white inhabitants, filled 
with blacks, and reduced to the precarious property of a few, 
equally exposed to domestic treachery, and foreign invasion; 
and therefore the trustees cannot be supposed to be in any dis- 
position of granting this request; and if they have not before 
this signified their dislike of it, this delay is to be imputed 
to no other motives, but the hopes they had conceived, that time 
and experience would bring the complainants to a better mind : 
and the trustees readily join issue with them in their appeal to 
posterity, who shall judge between them, who were their best 
friends ; those who endeavored to preserve for them a property 
in their lands, by tying up the hands of their unthrifty progeni- 
tors ? or they who wanted a power to mortgage, or alien them ? 
who were the best friends to the colony; those who with great 
labor and cost had endeavored to form a colony of his majesty's 
subjects, and persecuted protestants from other parts of Europe, 
had placed them on a fruitful soil, and strove to secure them 
in their possessions, by those acts which naturally tend to keep 
the colony full of useful and industrious people, capable both 
of cultivating and defending it ? or those who, to gratify the 
greedy and ambitious views of a few negro merchants, would 
put it in their power to become sole owners of the province, 
by introducing their baneful commodity ; which it is well known 
by sad experience, has brought the neighboring colony to the 
brink of ruin, by driving out their white inhabitants, who were 
their glory and strength, to make room for the blacks, who are 
now become the terror of their unadvised masters." 
"Signed by order of the trustees, 20th of June, 1739. 

BEIJ^J. MAETYN", Secretary." 

This letter was accompanied by new commissions for mag- 
istrates: Thomas Christie, first; John Fallowfield, second; 



92 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

and Thomas Jones, third bailiffs ; and William Williamson, re- 
corder. The inhabitants remarked that if they had not been 
sufficiently scourged before, this change in the executive au- 
thority would make their punishment complete. That Thomas 
Jones, surpassed Causton in all his bad qualities, without pos- 
sessing any of his good ones, and that he might govern without 
control, Oglethorpe had thought proper to supersede the com- 
missions of Christie and Williamson, and continued Henry 
Parker, as first magistrate, who would always support the in- 
terest of the store-keeper, Jones: therefore Fallowfield would 
be over-ruled, and all the powers of government would be vested 
in the other two ; the people again complained to the trustees, 
but without effect. 

William Stephens, Thomas Christie, and Thomas Jones, 
Esqrs. were appointed to examine Causton's accounts, but it 
is said they were never satisfactorily settled. Causton was 
removed for mal-practice in office. 

^Notwithstanding the determination of the trustees, entered 
into on the 20th of June, they again assembled on the 28th of 
August, 1739, and entered into the following resolutions, re- 
lating to the grants and tenure of lands in the colony of Georgia. 

^'Whereas the common council of the said trustees, assembled 
for that purpose in the name of the corporation of the said trus- 
tees, and under their common seal ; have in pursuance of his 
majesty's most gracious letters patent, and in execution of the 
trust reposed in them, granted and conveyed divers portions 
of the lands, tenements and hereditaments, in the said letters 
patent mentioned to many of his majesty's loving subjects, 
natural born, and denizens, and others willing to become his 
subjects, and to live under allegiance to his majesty in the said 
colony, to hold to them respectively, and to the heirs male of 
their respective bodies, lawfully begotten, or to be begotten ; 
under their several rents, reservations, conditions and provi- 
sions therein contained: and whereas it has been represented 
to the said trustees, that many of the persons to whom such 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 93 

grants have been made, have no male issue of their respective 
bodies, and that an alteration in the grants and tenure of the 
said lands, upon failure of such issue, and likewise a known 
and certain provision for the widows of tenants in tail male, 
would not only encourage all such persons cheerfully, to go on 
with their several improvements, but also be an inducement 
and means of inviting divers other persons to resort to, and set- 
tle in the said colony, and greatly tend to the cultivation of the 
lands, the increase of the people, and the defence, strength and 
security of the said colony; which the said trustees most ear- 
nestly desire to promote as far as in them lies ; it is therefore this 
day unanimously resolved by the common council of the said 
corporation, assembled for that purpose, that the grants of 
lands or tenements within the said colony heretofore made, and 
hereafter to be made by the said trustees, to any person or per- 
sons whatsoever, shall be altered, made and established in man- 
ner and form following; that is to say, that if a tenant in tail 
male of lands or tenements in the said colony, not having done 
or suffered any act, matter or thing, whereby his estate therein 
may be forfeited or determined, shall happen to die, leaving 
a widow and one or more child or children ; that then and in 
such case, the widow of such tenant shall hold and enjoy the 
dwelling house and garden, (if any such there be) and one 
moiety of such land and tenements, for and during the term 
of her life; the said moiety to be set out and divided; and in 
case the parties interested therein, do not agree within the space 
of three months, by the magistrates of the town court in Geor- 
gia, nearest thereto, or any one of them — and in case such di- 
vision be made by one of such magistrates only, then any per- 
son, or persons, finding him, her or themselves, aggrieved 
thereby, may within the space of three months, appeal to the 
other three magistrates of the said town court, whose determi- 
nation thereof shall be final. And if such tenant shall happen 
to die, leaving only a widow, and no child or children, then 
that such widow shall hold and enjoy the said dwelling house, 



94 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

garden and all such lands and tenements, for and during the 
term of her life. — And in case the widow of any such tenant, 
whether he die without issue by her or not, shall marry again 
after his decease, then such person to whom she shall be so mar- 
ried, shall within the space of twelve months after such mar- 
riage, give security to the said trustees, and their successors, 
whether personal or otherwise, agreeable to such instructions 
as shall be given by the common council of the said trustees, 
for maintaining and keeping in repair, during such marriage, 
the said dwelling house, garden and other premises, to which 
she shall be so entitled in right of her former husband: And 
if such security shall not be given in manner aforesaid, within 
the space of twelve months after such marriage, that then, and 
in such case, the provision hereby made, or intended to be made 
for the benefit of such widows, shall cease, determine and be 
absolutely void, to all intents and purposes ; and the said dwell- 
ing house and garden, and all and singular the premises, shall 
be and enure to such child or children, or such other person 
or persons, who would be entitled to the same, in case the said 
widow was naturally dead. 

"And if tenant in tail male of lands or tenements in the said 
colony, not having done or suffered any act, matter or thing, 
whereby his or her estate therein may be forfeited or determined, 
shall happen to die, leaving one or more daughter or daughters, 
and no male issue ; then that such lands and tenements, if not 
exceeding eighty acres, shall be holden in tail male by any one 
of the daughters of such tenant ; and if exceeding eighty acres, 
by any one or more of the daughters of such tenant in tail male, 
as such tenant shall by his or her last will and testament in 
writing, duly executed in the presence of three or more credible 
witnesses, direct and appoint ; and in default of such direction 
and appointment then that such lands and tenements shall be 
holden in tail male by the eldest of such daughters ; and in de- 
fault of issue male and female, either born in the life time 
of such tenant in tail male, or within nine months after his de- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 95 

cease, then that such lands and tenements, if not exceeding 
eighty acres, shall be holden in tail male by any one such per- 
son; and if exceeding eighty acres, by any one or more such 
person or persons, as such tenant in tail male by his or her last 
will and testament in writing, executed as aforesaid, shall direct 
and appoint ; and in default of such direction or appointment, 
then that such lands and tenements, shall be holden in tail male 
by the heirs at law of such tenant, subject nevertheless, in all 
and every of the said cases, to such right of the widow (if any) 
as aforesaid, provided that such daughter or daughters, and all 
and every such person or persons, so entitled to hold and enjoy 
such lands and tenements, do within the space of twelve months 
after the death of such tenant, personally appear, if residing 
in America, and claim the same in any of the town courts in 
Georgia ; and if residing out of America, then within the space 
of eighteen months next after the death of such tenant: and 
provided also, that no such devise or appointment, shall be made 
by such tenant of lands exceeding eighty acres, in any lesser or 
smaller portion or parcel than fifty acres to any one daughter, 
or other person: and that no daughter or other person shall be 
capable of enjoying any devise, which may thereby increase 
his or her former possession of lands within the said colony, 
to more than five hundred acres ; but such devise to be void, and 
the lands thereby given, to descend in such manner as if no such 
devise had been made. And in default of such appearance and 
claim, as aforesaid, that all and singular such lands and tene- 
ments shall be, and remain to the said trustees and their suc- 
cessors, for ever : Provided also, that all and every such estates 
hereby created or intended to be created, shall be subject and 
liable to the several rents, reservations, provisoes and condi- 
tions, as in the original grants thereof are particularly men- 
tioned and contained; save and except so much thereof as is 
hereby altered, or intended to be altered, in case of failure of 
male issue, and the provision hereby made or intended to be 
made for widows. 



96 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

"And that in every grant hereafter to be made by the said 
trustees or their successors, of any lands or tenements in the 
said colony, all and every grantee therein named, not doing or 
suffering any act, matter or thing whereby his or her estate 
therein may be forfeited or determined, shall have good right, 
full power, and lawful authority to give and devise the same 
by his or her last will and testament in writing, duly executed 
in the presence of three or more credible witnesses, in manner 
and form following, viz. Every grantee of lands not exceed- 
ing eighty acres, to any one son or any one daughter in tail 
male, and every grantee of lands exceeding eighty acres, the 
whole or any part thereof, but not in lesser lots or portions than 
fifty acres to any one devisee, to his or her son or sons, daugh- 
ter or daughters in tail male ; and in default of such devise as 
aforesaid, then that such lands and tenements shall descend 
to the eldest son in tail male ; and in default of male issue, to 
the eldest daughter in tail male ; and in default of issue male 
and female, then that such lands and tenements shall be holden 
in tail male, if not exceeding eighty acres, by any one such 
person, and if exceeding eighty acres, by any one or more such 
person or persons, but in any smaller lot or portion than fifty 
acres to any one person as such grantee shall by his or her last 
will and testament in writing, executed as aforesaid, direct 
and appoint; and in default of such direction or appointment, 
then that such lands and tenements shall be holden in tail male 
by the heir at law of such grantee ; subject nevertheless to such 
right of the widow (if any) as aforesaid, provided always, that 
no son, daughter or other person, shall be capable of enjoying 
any devise which may thereby increase his or her former pos- 
session of land within the said colony, to more than five hun- 
dred acres, but such devise to be void and the lands thereby 
given, to descend in such manner as if no such devise had been 
made : Provided also, that such son or sons, daughter or daugh- 
ters, and all and every such person or persons entitled to hold 
and enjoy any such lands and tenements, do within the space 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 97 

of twelve months after the death of such grantee, of those under 
whom they claim, personally appear, if residing in America, 
and claim the same in any of the town courts in Georgia ; and 
if residing out of America, then within the space of eighteen 
months next after such death; and in default of such appear- 
ance and claim as aforesaid, that all and singular the said lands 
and tenements shall be and remain to the said trustees, and their 
successors forever. And provided also, that all and every such 
estates shall be subject and liable to the like rents, reversions, 
provisoes and conditions, as in the former grants of lands here- 
tofore made, save and except so much thereof as is hereby 
altered, upon the failure of male issue. 

''And it is hereby required, that public notice of these reso- 
lutions be forthwith given by the magistrates of the respective 
town courts in Georgia, and also by the secretary of the said 
trustees in London, that all and every the grantees of lands 
and tenements within the said colony, may enter their respective 
claims, either at the Georgia office, near old palace yard in 
Westminster, or in any of the town courts in Georgia, within 
the space of twelve months from the date hereof, to the end that 
they may receive the benefit hereby intended, and that proper 
grants and conveyances in the law may be forthwith prepared 
and executed for that purpose. And it is hereby expressly de- 
clared, that no fee or reward shall be taken for the entering of 
any such claim, directly or indirectly, by any person or per- 
sons whatsoever. 

Signed by order of the said common council, 

Benjamin Martyn, Secretary." 

These resolutions were published by paragraphs in a Charles- 
ton Gazette, but as they were not well understood, Stephens 
was requested on a certain day, to read them entire at the court- 
house, and explain them as he went on — after he had finished 
this task, and exerted his utmost abilities in giving an explana- 
tion, one of the settlers, ludicrously remarked, that the whole 
7 



98 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17S9. 

paper consisted of males and tails, and that all the lawyers in 
London would not be able to bring the meaning down to his 
comprehension ; and that he understood as little of its mean- 
ing then, as he had when Stephens began — others wished to 
know how often those two words had occurred in the resolu- 
tions, that the number ought to be preserved as a curiosity; 
and that the author of it ought to be lodged in bedlam for lunacy. 
In 1739, general Oglethorpe informed the trustees, that he 
had been advised through a variety of sources, that the Span- 
iards had been tampering with the Indians by every possible 
means, to bring them into a war against the British colonies, 
and suggested the necessity of his taking a journey into the 
nation, for the purpose of adopting measures to defeat a 
scheme, which would be so injurious to the settlement of Greor- 
gia : and that a general assembly of the nations which was soon 
to be held at the Coweta town, four hundred miles from Fred- 
erica, afforded a favorable opportunity for the accomplishment 
of his purposes ; and the more effectually to destroy the seditious 
designs of the Spaniards, he should carry with him several pack- 
horse loads of goods to be distributed amongst the Indians as 
presents : accordingly, and in compliance with a promise he 
made the preceding year, he travelled through the nations as 
far as the Cowetas, where he conferred with the deputies of 
the Creeks, Cherokees and Chickasaws: he was received with 
the greatest hospitality and friendship, and after smoaking 
the pipe of peace, drinking sofkey, black-drink, and passing 
through the various ceremonies of their ancestors ; they unitedly 
declared, that they remained firm in their former love to the 
king of Great-Britain and his subjects, and adhered to all the 
engagements of amity and commerce, entered into with the 
general as the representative of the trustees of Georgia. By 
this treaty* it was further declared that all the dominions, ter- 
ritories and lands between the Savannah and St. John's rivers, 
including all the islands; and from the St. John's river to the 

* See appendix No. 3. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 99 

Apalachie bay, and thence to the mountains ; do by ancient 
right belong to the Creek nation ; and that they would not suffer 
either the Spaniards, or any other people, excepting the trus- 
tees of the colony of Georgia, to settle their lands. They also 
acknowledged the grant which they formerly had made to the 
trustees, of all the lands on Savannah river, as far as the river 
Ogechee, and all the lands along the sea coast as far as St. 
John's river, and as high as the tide flowed ; and all the islands, 
particularly St. Simons, Cumberland and Amelia ; and that 
they reserved to the Creek nation all the lands from Pipe- 
maker's bluff to Savannah, and the islands of St. Catharine, 
Ossabaw and Sapelo ; and further declared, that the said lands 
were held by the Creek nation as tenants in common. Ogle- 
thorpe, as commissioner of George the second, declared that 
the English should not enlarge or take up any lands, excepting 
those granted as above mentioned, to the trustees, by the Creek 
nation, and covenanted that he would punish any person, who 
should intrude upon the lands, so reserved by that nation. This 
treaty was concluded on the 21st of August, 1739. 

This judicious arrangement was well timed and proved ad- 
vantageous to the public. It was just closed when he received 
an express from secretary Stephens, enclosing a letter from 
Col. Bull, lieutenant governor of South Carolina, with intel- 
ligence from lieutenant governor Clarke of New- York, stating 
that the French had marched from Mont-Real, with a body of 
two hundred regular troops, and five hundred Indians, who 
were to be reinforced by French and Indians on their route, 
and that this army was designed against the Indians in friend- 
ship with* his Britannic majesty's subjects in South-Carolina 
and Georgia, who are situated near some branches of the Mis- 
sissippi river. The general apprised the Indians of the danger 
with which they were threatened, and after mutual promises 
of perpetual friendship, he returned to Georgia. 

While admiral Vernon was sent to take the command of a 
squadron on the West-India station, with orders to act offen- 



100 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739. 

sively against the Spanish dominions in that quarter, to divide 
their force, General Oglethorpe was ordered to annoy the sub- 
jects of Spain in Florida, by every method in his power : in 
consequence of which the General projected an expedition 
against the Spanish settlement at Augustine; this desig-n he 
communicated to Governor Bull, requesting the support and 
assistance of Carolina in the expedition. Bull laid his letter 
before the provincial assembly, recommending to them to raise 
a regiment, and give him all possible assistance in an enter- 
prise of such interesting consequence. The assembly, sensible 
of the great advantages that must accrue to them from getting 
rid of such troublesome neighbors, resolved, that so soon as the 
General should communicate to them his plan of operations, 
together with a statement of the assistance requisite, at the 
same time making it appear that there was a probability of 
success, they would most cheerfully assist him. 

The Carolinians however, were apprehensive that as the 
garrison at Augustine had proved such a painful thorn in time 
of peace, they would have more to dread from it in time of war. 
The people nevertheless lent a favorable ear to the proposal, 
and earnestly wished the dislodgement of so malicious an enemy. 
General Oglethorpe was busily engaged in collecting all the 
intelligence he could, respecting the situation and strength 
of Augustine, and finding it was not well sujDplied with pro- 
visions, urged the execution of his project at the favorable mo- 
ment, with a hope of surprising the enemy before a supply 
should arrive. He declared that no personal toil or danger 
should discourage him from exerting himself towards freeing 
Carolina from such neighbors, as had instigated their slaves 
to massacre them, and publicly protected them, after such 
bloody attempts. That measures might be concerted with the 
greatest secrecy and expedition, he went to Charleston in per- 
son, and laid before the legislature of Carolina, an estimate of 
the force, arms, ammunition and provisions, which he judged 
might be requisite for the expedition. The assembly voted 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1739-J^O. 101 

one hundred and twenty thousand pounds Carolina money for 
the expenses of the war — a regiment consisting of four hun- 
dred men was raised in Virginia and the Carolinas with the 
greatest expedition, and the command given to colonel Vander- 
dussen: Indians in alliance with the British colonies, were in- 
vited to join in the expedition. Vincent Price, commander 
of the ships of war on that station, agreed to assist with a naval 
force of four twenty gun ships and two sloops, which encour- 
aged the Carolinians to be more vigorous in their military prep- 
arations. Gen. Oglethorpe appointed the mouth of St. John's 
river, for the place of rendezvous, and having finished his ar- 
rangements in Carolina, returned to Georgia, to put his regi- 
ment in readiness for the expedition. On the 9th of May, 
1740, the general passed over to Florida, .with four hundred 
select men of his own regiment, and a considerable party of In- 
dians, and on the day following invested Diego, a small fort 
twenty-five miles from Augustine, which after a short resist- 
ance surrendered by capitulation. In this fort, he left a gar- 
rison of sixty men, under the command of lieutenant Dunbar, 
and returned to the place of general rendezvous, where he was 
joined by colonel Vanderdussen with the Carolina regiment, 
and a company of highlanders from Darien, commanded by 
captain M'Intosh. Before the Carolina troops arrived at St. 
Johns, six Spanish half galleys, with long brass nine pounders, 
and two sloops loaded with provisions, had got into the harbor 
at Augustine ; this was a sore and unexpected stroke to the gen- 
eral's hopes: when the Carolina troops arrived, he marched 
with his whole force consisting of about two thousand regulars, 
provincials and Indians, to fort Moosa, situated within two 
miles of Augustine, which was evacuated on his approach, and 
the garrison retired into the town; he destroyed the gates, 
opened breaches into the fort-walls, and proceeded to recon- 
noitre the town and castle. Notwithstanding the despatch of 
his army, the Spaniards during his halt at fort Diego, had col- 
lected all the cattle from the neighboring woods and driven 



102 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, IIUO. 

them into the town ; and the general found, from a view of the 
works, and the intelligence he received from prisoners, that 
there would be more diflSculty attending this enterprise than he 
had at first expected : it is probable he might have been success- 
ful if he had not halted at Diego, but pressed all his force im- 
mediately against Augustine; for by the delay occasioned at 
that place, and the tardy movements of the Carolina troops, the 
enemy had notice of his approach, gathered in all their force, 
and put themselves in a posture for defence; besides the acqui- 
sition of the garrison of Moosa, which might probably have been 
cut off. The castle was a regular work, built of soft stone, with 
four bastions, the curtain sixty yards long, the parapet nine 
feet thick, the rampart twenty feet high, casements beneath for 
lodgings, arched over and newly made, bomb-proof : fifty pieces 
of cannon were mounted, several of which were twenty-four 
pounders : besides the castle, the town was entrenched with ten 
salient angles, mounted with small cannon. The garrison con- 
sisted of seven hundred regulars, two troops of horse, four com- 
panies of armed negroes, besides the militia of the province and 
Indians, with a considerable supply of provisions, and the com- 
mand of a fine fishery. The general plainly perceived that an 
attack by land upon the town, and an attempt to take the castle 
by storm, would not only cost him a great deal of blood, but 
probably fail, therefore changed his plan of operations. With 
the assistance of the ships of war which were then lying at an- 
chor off the bar, he resolved to turn the siege into a blockade, 
and close every channel by which any additional stock of pro- 
visions could be conveyed to the garrison: for this purpose he 
left colonel Palmer with ninety-five highlanders and forty-two 
Indians at fort Moosa, with orders to scour the woods round the 
town, and intercept all supplies from the country by land ; and 
for the safety of his men, ordered the encampment to be changed 
every night, to keep a strict watch, and by all means avoid com- 
ing to a general action. This small party composed the whole 
force left for guarding the land side; colonel Vanderdussen's 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1740. 103 

regiment was sent over a small creek to take possession of a 
neck of land called Point Quartel, about a mile from the castle, 
with orders to erect a battery upon it ; while the general with 
his regiment and the greatest part of the Indians embarked in 
boats, and landed on the island of Anastatia ; on this island 
there was a small party of troops stationed as a guard, who, on 
his approach fled to the town, and as it lay opposite to the castle, 
the general considered it a favorable position for bombarding 
the castle and town ; captain Pierce stationed one of his ships to 
guard the passage, by way of the Matanzas, and with the others, 
blocked up the mouth of the harbour, so that the Spaniards were 
cut off from all supplies by sea. On the island of Anastatia, 
batteries were soon erected, and several cannon mounted by the 
assistance of the active and enterprising sailors : having made 
these dispositions, general Oglethorpe summoned the Spanish 
governor to a surrender, but the haughty Don, secure in his 
strong hold, replied, that he would be glad to shake hands with 
him in his castle. 

The opportunity of surprising the place being lost, the gen- 
eral had no other secure method left but to attack it at the dis- 
tance he then stood. — For this purpose he opened his batteries 
against the castle, and at the same time threw a number of 
shells into the town. The fire was returned with equal spirit 
from the Spanish fort and from the six half gallies in the har- 
bor, but so great was the distance, that though they continued 
the cannonade for several days, little execution was done on 
either side. Captain Warren of the navy perceiving that all 
efforts in this way, for demolishing the castle were vain and 
ineffectual, proposed to destroy the Spanish gallies in the har- 
bor, by an attack in the night, and offered to head the attempt 
himself: a council was held to consider of and concert a plan 
for that service; but upon sounding the bar, it was found that 
it would admit no large ship to the attack, and with small ones 
it was judged rash and impracticable, the gallies being covered 
by the cannon of the castle, and therefore the design was relin- 



104: HISTORY OF GEORGIA, UJ^O. 

quished. In the mean time the Spanish governor observing the 
beseigers embarrassed, and their operations beginning to relax, 
sent out a detachment of three hundred men against col. Palmer, 
who surprised him at fort Moosa, while most of his party were 
asleep, and cut them almost entirely to pieces ; captain M'Intosh 
was taken prisoner and suffered severe and cruel treatment: so 
inveterate were the Spaniards against every officer of courage 
and merit, who were zealous in support of the colony of Georgia, 
and so anxious that the English settlements should be removed, 
that the officers were closely confined, and the soldiers incarcer- 
ated in dungeons ; captain M'Intosh was sent to old Spain where 
he remained a prisoner at Madrid for many months, and was 
finally exchanged and returned to Darien in Georgia. A few 
who accidentally escaped the massacre at fort Moosa, went over 
in a small boat to the Carolina regiment at Point Quartel. 
Some of the Chickesaw Indians coming from that fort, having 
met with a Spaniard, cut off his head, agreeably to their savage 
manner of waging war, and presented it to the general in his 
camp, as a trophy of valor ; but he rejected it with abhorrence, 
calling them barbarous dogs and bidding them begone: at this 
disdainful behaviour, the Chickesaws were offended, declaring 
if they had carried the head of an Englishman to the French, 
they would not have treated them with contempt : perhaps on 
this occasion the general discovered more humanity than policy : 
the Indians soon after deserted him ; about the same time the 
vessel stationed at the Matanzas being ordered off, some small 
vessels from the Havana with provisions, and a reinforcement 
of men got into Augustine, by that narrow channel, to the relief 
of the garrison. A party of the Creeks having surprised one of 
their small boats, brought four Spanish prisoners to the general, 
who informed him that the garrison had received seven hundred 
men, and a large supply of provisions ; then all prospects of 
starving the enemy being lost, the army began to despair of 
forcing the place to surrender. The Carolina troops enfeebled 
by the heat, dispirited by sickness, and fatigued by fruitless 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17JfO. 105 

efforts, decamped in large bodies. The navy being short of 
provisions, and the usual season of hurricanes approaching, the 
commander judged it imprudent to hazard the ships any longer 
on the coast. Last of all, the general himself, sick of a fever, 
and his regiment worn out with fatigue and rendered unfit for 
action by a flux, with sorrow and regret returned to Frederica 
the 10th of July. Thus ended the unsuccessful expedition 
against Augustine, to the great disappointment of Carolina and 
Georgia, and the extreme mortification of the general. Many 
illiberal reflections were thrown out against Oglethorpe for his 
conduct during the whole enterprise ; scarcely one of his meas- 
ures escaped the animadversions of those who felt an interest in 
the success of the undertaking: every silly babbler pointed out 
a plan, which if pursued, must have been successful ; when per- 
haps the truth was, that under all circumstances, there were but 
few generals, who could have conducted the enterprise with 
more skill, than Oglethorpe. Taking into view that he had 
only four hundred regular troops ; that the remainder were un- 
disciplined militia and Indians ; that his enemy was secured by 
an impenetrable castle, finished in the highest order, well 
manned and provided; it only appears astonishing that he re- 
turned without a defeat, and the destruction of his army. 



CHAPTER IV. 

WHEX the general returned from Augustine, lie was 
bitterly and cruelly attacked by newsmongers and 
pamphleteers, as will be seen by the dedication of a 
pamphlet printed in South-Carolina, of which the following is 
a copy: this pamphlet is probably from the pen of the "Plain 
Dealer." 

"To his excellency James Oglethorpe, Esq. general and com- 
mander in chief of his majesty's forces in South- Carolina 
and Georgia, and one of the honorable trustees for establish- 
ing the colony of Georgia in America, dc. 

"May it please your Excellency, 

"As the few surviving remains of the colony of Georgia, find 
it necessary to present the world, particularly Great-Britain, 
with a true state of the province, from its first rise to its present 
period ; your excellency of all mankind, is best entitled to the 
dedication, as the principal author of its present strength and 
affluence, freedom and prosperity ; and though incontestible 
truths will recommend the following narrative to the patient 
and attentive reader ; yet your name sir, will be no little orna- 
ment to the frontispiece, and may possibly engage some cour- 
teous perusers a little beyond it. That dedication and flattery 
are synonimous, is the complaint of every dedicator, who con- 
cludes himself ingenious and fortunate, if he can discover a less 
trite and direct method of flattering than is usually practiced; 
but we are happily prevented from the least intention of this 
kind, by the repeated offerings of the muses and news-writers to 
your excellency in the public papers; it were presumptuous 
even to dream of equaling or increasing them : we therefore 
flatter ourselves, that nothing we can advance will in the least 
shock your excellency's modesty ; nor nothing but your good- 
ness will pardon any deficiency of elegance and politeness, on 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17J,0. 107 

account of your sincerity and the serious truths with which we 
have the honor to approach you. 

"We have seen the ancient custom of sending forth colonies, 
for the improvement of any distant territory, or new acquisition, 
continued down to ourselves ; but to your excellency alone it is 
owing, that the world is made acquainted with a plan, highly 
refined from those of former projectors. They fondly imagined 
it necessary to communicate to such young settlements, the 
fullest right and properties, all the immunities of their mother 
countries, and privileges rather more extensive : by such means 
indeed, these colonies flourished with early trade and affluence : 
but your excellency's concern for our perpetual welfare, could 
never permit you to propose such transitory advantages for us : 
you considered riches like a divine and a philosopher, as the 
irritamenta malorum, and knew that they were disposed to in- 
flate weak minds with pride, to pamper the body with luxury, 
and introduce a long variety of evils. Thus have you protected 
us from ourselves, as Mr. Waller says, by keeping all earthly 
comforts from us ; you have afforded us the opportunity of ar- 
riving at the integrity of the primitive times, by entailing a 
more than primitive poverty upon us. The toil that is neces- 
sary to our bare subsistence, must effectually defend us from 
the anxieties of any further ambition : as we have no properties 
to feed vain glory and beget contention ; so we are not puzzled 
with any system of laws, to ascertain and establish them : the 
valuable virtue of humanity is secured to us by your care to 
prevent our procuring, or so much as seeing any negroes, (the 
only human creature proper to improve our soil) lest our sim- 
plicity might mistake the poor Africans for greater slaves than 
ourselves : and that we might fully receive the spiritual benefit 
of those wholesome austerities, you have wisely denied us the 
use of those spirituous liquors, which might in the least divert 
our minds from the contemplation of our happy circumstances. 
"Our subject swells upon us ; and did we allow ourselves to 
indulge the inclination, without considering our weak abilities, 



108 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 171^0. 

we should be tempted to launch out into many of your excel- 
lency's extraordinary endowments, which do not so much regard 
the affair on hand ; but as this would lead us beyond the bounds 
of the dedication, so would it engross a subject too extensive 
for us, to the prejudice of other authors and panegyrists ; we 
shall therefore confine ourselves to that remarkable scene of 
your conduct, whereby Great-Britain in general, and the set- 
tlers of Greorgia in particular, are laid under such inexpressible 
obligations. 

"Be pleased then, great sir, to accompany our heated imag- 
inations, in taking a view of this colony of Georgia ! this child 
of your auspicious politics ! arrived at the utmost vigour of its 
constitution, at a term when most former states have been strug- 
gling through the convulsions of their infancy. This early ma- 
turity however, lessens our admiration, that your excellency 
lives to see (what few founders ever aspired after) the great 
decline and almost final termination of it. So many have fin- 
ished their course during the progress of the experiment, and 
such numbers have retreated from the phantoms of poverty and 
slavery, which their cowardly imaginations pictured to them, 
that you may justly vaunt with the boldest hero of them all — 

Like Death you reign, 

O'er silent subjects and a desert plain. 

BUSIRIS. 

"Yet must your enemies (if you have any) be reduced to 
confess, that no ordinary statesman could have digested in the 
like manner, so capacious a scheme, such a copious jumble of 
power and politics. We shall content ourselves with observing, 
that all those beauteous models of government, which the little 
states of Germany exercise, and those extensive liberties which 
the boors of Poland enjoy, were designed to concentre in your 
system, and were we to regard the modes of government, we 
must have been strangely unlucky to have missed of the best, 
where there was the appearance of so great a variety ; for under 
the influence of our perpetual dictator, we have seen something 
like aristocracy, oligarchy, as well as the triumvirate, decem- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17JfO. 109 

virate, and consular authority of famous republics, which have 
expired many ages before us : what wonder then that we share 
the same fate ! do their towns and villages exist but in story 
and rubbish ? we are all over ruins ; our public works, forts, 
wells, high-ways, light-houses, store, water-mills, &c. are dig- 
nified like theirs with the same venerable desolation. The log- 
houses indeed, are like to be the last forsaken spots of your 
empire; yet even these, though the death or desertion of those 
would continue to inhabit them, must suddenly decay ; the 
bankrupt jailor himself shall be soon denied the privilege of 
human conversation ; and when this last monument of the spell 
expires, the whole shall vanish like an illusion of some eastern 
magician. 

"But let not this solitary prospect impress your excellency 
with any fears of having your services to mankind, and to the 
settlers of Georgia in particular, buried in oblivion ; for if we 
diminutive authors, are allowed to prophesy, (as you know 
poets in those cases formerly did) we may confidently presage, 
that while the memoirs of America continue to be read in Eng- 
lish, Spanish, or the language of the Scots highlanders, your ex- 
cellency's exploits and epocha, will be transmitted to posterity. 

''Should your excellency apprehend the least tincture of flat- 
tery in any thing already hinted, we may sincerely assure you, 
we intend nothing that our sentiments did not very strictly 
attribute to your merits ; and in such sentiments we have the 
satisfaction of being fortified by all persons of impartiality and 
descernment. 

''But to trespass no longer on those minutes which your ex- 
cellency may suppose more significantly employed on the se- 
quel ; let it sufiice at present to assure you, that we are deeply 
affected with your favors ; and though unable of ourselves, prop- 
erly to acknowledge them, we shall embrace every opportunity 
of recommending you to higher powers, who (we are hopeful) 
will reward your excellency according to your merits. 

May it please your excellency, &c." 
''The land-holders in Georgia." 



110 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, IIJ^O. 

This dedication, compared with the pamphlet, was almost 
gentle in its censures, and but limped at the heels of the authors 
observations. The general was alternately charged with cow- 
ardice, despotism, cruelty and bribery. The pamphlet is filled 
with ill-natured invective, without any regard to good manners 
or common civility. The author was said to be a man of but 
little property and bad reputation, soured in his temper because 
he was not humored in an alteration of the constitution, or 
granted exclusive privileges to the subversion of the objects of 
the trustees in their plan of settling the new colony, before their 
experiment could be fully tried. It was stated that he departed 
from the colony to escape a trial, which was pending against 
him for seditious and rebellious practices, and that he had been 
turbulent and restless at an early period; that he was a man 
whose daily employment had been for some time, to misrepre- 
sent the public measures, to disperse scandal, and excite rebel- 
lion ; that he had industriously propagated every murmur of 
discontent, and preserved every whisper of malevolence from 
perishing in the birth. His designs seem to have been chiefly 
directed to the obstruction of population in the colony, until 
the trustees should be forced by its dwindling into weakness and 
insignificance, to gratify the people's eagerness for spirituous 
liquors and slaves, and by these means to indulge to the extent 
of their wishes in idleness and dissipation. Oglethorpe may 
without flattery or falsehood, be justly termed the Romulus, 
father and founder of Georgia : without any views to his own 
interest, his efforts seem to have been directed to the enlarge- 
ment of the dominions of his country, the propagation of the 
protestant religion and providing for the wants and necessities 
of the indigent: he had voluntarily banished himself from the 
pleasures of a court, and exposed himself to the dangers of a 
vast Atlantic ocean, in several perilous and tedious voyages. 
Instead of allowing himself the satisfaction which a plentiful 
fortune, powerful friends, and great merit entitled him to in 
England, he had inured himself to hardships and exposures in 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, IIJ^O. Ill 

common with the poor settlers ; his food, boiled rice, mouldy 
bread, salt beef and pork; his bed the damp ground, and his 
covering the canopy of heaven. When his conduct in war was 
fairly tested, it corresponded with his integrity in other sta- 
tions, public and private. 

The reverend George Whitefield, who merits particular notice 
in^the history of Greorgia, arrived at Savannah in May, 1738. 
This celebrated field preacher, and founder of the sect of Cal- 
vanistic Methodists, was born in 1714, in Gloucester, England. 
At twelve years of age he was put to a grammar school, and at 
sixteen he was admitted servitor in Pembroke college, Oxford, 
where he distinguished himself by the austerities of his devo- 
tion. At the age of twenty-one, the fame of his piety rec- 
ommended him so effectually to Dr. Benson, bishop of Glouces- 
ter, that he ordained him. Immediately after Mr. White- 
field's admission into the ministry, he applied himself with the 
most extraordinary and indefatigable zeal and industry to the 
duties of his character, preaching daily in the prisons, fields and 
open streets, wherever he thought there would be a likelihood 
of making religious impressions. Having at length made him- 
self universally known in England, he applied to the trustees 
for establishing the colony of Georgia, for a grant of a tract of 
land near Savannah, with the benevolent intention of building 
an orphan house, which was designed as an asylum for poor 
children, who were to be clothed and fed by charitable contribu- 
tions, and educated in the knowledge and practice of Chris- 
tianity, Actuated by the strongest motives f(^r the propagation 
of religion, this itinerant several times crossed the Atlantic 
ocean to convert the Americans, whom he addressed in such 
manner as if they had been all equally strangers to the privileges 
and benefits of religion, with the aborigines of the forest : how- 
ever, his zeal never led him beyond the maritime parts of 
America, through which he traveled, spreading the evangelical 
tenets of his faith amongst the most populous towns and vil- 
lages. One would have imagined that the heathens would 



112 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 174O. 

have been the primary objects of his religious compassion ; but 
this was not the case: wherever he went in America, as in 
Britain, he had multitudes of followers. When he first visited 
Charleston, Alexander Garden, a man of great erudition, who 
was an episcopal clergyman in that place, took occasion to point 
out to them the pernicious tendency of Whitefield's wild doc- 
trines and irregular manner of life. He represented him as a 
religious imposter or quack, who had an excellent knack of set- 
ting off, disguising and rendering palatable his poisonous tenets : 
on the other hand, Mr. Whitefield, who had been accustomed 
to stand reproach and face opposition, recriminated with double 
acrimony and greater success : while Alexander Garden, to keep 
his flock from straying after this strange pastor, expatiated on 
these words of scripture; ''those that have turned the world 
upside down are come hither also." Mr. Whitefield with all 
the force of comic humor and wit, for which he was so much 
distinguished ; by way of reply enlarged upon these words ; 
"Alexander the copper-smith hath done me much evil^ the Lord 
reward him according to his works." The pulpit was perverted 
into the purposes of spite and malevolence, and their followers 
catching the infection, spoke of the clergymen as they were 
differently affected. 

Mr. Whitefield commenced the building of his orphan house 
in Georgia, in 1740, on a sandy bluff, near the sea shore, on a 
tract of land granted to him for the purpose by the trustees; 
the house was built of wood seventy feet by forty. To this 
house poor children were sent, to be supported partly by charity, 
and partly by the products of the land cultivated by negroes. 

Mr. Whitefield calculated on the healthiness of the place, 
from its similarity of situation to that of Frederica: having 
formed the project, he determined to persevere, and prided 
himself in surmounting every obstacle and difficulty: he trav- 
elled through the British empire, making impressions of the 
excellence of his design, and obtained from charitable people, 
money, clothes, and books, to forward his undertaking and sup- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1740. 113 

ply his poor orphans in Georgia. The house was finished and 
furnished with an excellent library, but the institution never 
flourished to the extent of his expectations and wishes, though 
a great sum of money was expended in bringing it to maturity, 
owing most probably to the unhealthiness of the situation. The 
number of children educated at it are not known, but the gen- 
eral opinion is, that it did not produce many ornaments for 
the pulpit. About thirty years after the house was finished, it 
was burned ; some say it was occasioned by a foul chimney, and 
others by a flash of lightning; but whatever was the cause, it 
burned with such violence that little of either furniture or 
library, escaped the devouring flames. Happy was it for the 
zealous founder of this institution, that he did not survive the 
ruins of a fabric on which his heart was fixed, and to the com- 
pletion of which, he had devoted so much time and labor. 

The talents of Mr. Whitefield were extraordinary, and be- 
yond any opinion which can be entertained of an itinerant 
preacher. His influence and weight at that day, certainly made 
him one of the most useful men in America. He had many 
friends and admirers amongst the men of the first influence and 
respectability, and followers from all classes ; he was so popular 
in preaching, that his churches or places of religious resort, 
were crowded some time before he appeared, and that to a de- 
gree unknown since the apostolic times, or the days of the ana- 
baptists in Germany. It was observed by some of those who 
attended his service, that when he preached in a church, a line 
was extended outwards, there being no room to go in ; and at the 
door, pious persons were soliciting for leave "only to see his 
blessed face," though they could hear him. — Such was the re- 
spect, enthusiasm and regard he had inspired, to those devoted 
to religion, owing to his sincerity, faith, zeal, truly great and 
extraordinary talents. It is related of the accomplished and 
celebrated lord Chesterfield, that he observed, "Mr. Whitefield 
is the greatest orator "I have ever heard, and I cannot conceive 
of a "greater." His writings are said to give no idea of his 



114 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, IIJ^O. 

oratorical powers: his person, his delivery, his boldness, his 
zeal and sincere pursuit in the propagation of the gospel of his 
Lord and Master, made him a truly wonderful man in the pul- 
pit, whilst his printed sermons give hut a skeleton of the equal 
of many men who have served religion, since the days of the 
primitive christians. It is not an easy task to delineate his 
character, without an uncommon mixture, and a vast variety of 
colours. He was in the British empire, not unlike one of those 
strange and erratic meteors which appear now and then in the 
system of nature. He often lamented that in his youth he was 
gay and giddy; so fondly attached to the stage, that he fre- 
quently recited difficult pieces while he was at school, with 
such great applause, that Garrick observed, the stage had lost 
an ornament. Then he probably acquired those gestures, added 
to his powers of eloquence, which he practiced under his clerical 
robes with great success and advantage upon the feelings of his 
hearers. 

After receiving his ordination in the church of England, he 
refused submission to the regulations either of that or any other 
particular church, but became a preacher in churches, meeting- 
houses, halls, fields, in all places and to all denominations, with- 
out exception. Though he was not distinguished for his learn- 
ing, he possessed a lively imagination, much humor, and had 
acquired a great knowledge of human nature, and the man- 
ners of the world. He possessed a great share of humanity and 
benevolence, but frequently displayed an excessive warmth of 
temper when roused by opposition and contradiction. His 
reading was inconsiderable, but he had an extraordinary mem- 
ory, and mankind being one of the great objects of his study, 
he could, when he pleased, raise the passions and call forth the 
tones of the human heart with admirable skill and fervor. By 
his affecting eloquence and address, he impressed on the minds 
of many, especially of the more soft and delicate sex, such a 
strong sense of sin and guilt, as often plunged them into de- 
jection and despair. As his custom was to frequent those large 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17^0. 115 

cities and towns which are commonly best supplied with the 
means of instruction, it would to some appear, that the love 
of fame and popular applause was one of his leading passions ; 
but he always discovered a warm zeal for the honor of God and 
the happiness of mankind. Whilst he was almost worshipped 
by the lower order, men of superior rank and erudition, found 
him the polite gentleman, and the facetious and jocular com- 
panion. Though he loved good cheer, and frequented the 
houses of the rich and hospitable, yet he was an enemy to all 
manner of excess and intemperance. While his disposition to 
travel led him from place to place, his natural discernment en- 
abled him to form correct opinions of the characters and man- 
ners of men, where ever he went. Though he gave a preference 
to no particular established church, yet good policy winked at 
all his eccentricities, as he every where supported the character 
of a steady friend to civil government. He had a great talent 
for exciting the curiosity of the multitude, and his roving man- 
ner stamped a kind of novelty on his instructions. When ex- 
posed to the taunts of the irreligious scoffer, and the ridicule 
of the flagitious, he remained firm to his purpose, and could 
retort those weapons with astonishing ease and dexterity, and 
render vice abashed under the lash of his satire and wit. To 
habitual sinners his address was generally applicable and pow- 
erful, and with equal ease could alarm the secure and confirm 
the unsteady. — Though in prayer he commonly addressed the 
second person of the Trinity in a familiar style, and in his 
sermons was eccentric in his composition, and expatiated on 
the occurrences of his own life ; yet these seemed only shades 
to set off to greater advantage the lustre of his good qualities. 
In short, though he was said to have had many oddities, yet 
few will undertake to deny that religion in America, was greatly 
indebted to the zeal, diligence, and oratory of this extraordinary 
man. After a long course of peregrination, his fortune in- 
creased as his fame extended among his followers, and he 
erected two very extensive buildings for public worship in 



116 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17JfO- 

England, under the name of tabernacles ; one in Tottenham 
court road, and the other at Mooriields ; where by the help of 
some assistants, he continued several years, attended by very 
crowded congregations. By being chaplain to the countess 
Dowager of Huntingdon, he was also connected with two other 
religious meetings, one at Bath and the other at Tunbridge, 
chiefly erected under that virtuous lady's patronage. By a 
lively, fertile and penetrating genius, by the most unwearied 
zeal, and by a forcible and persuasive delivery, he never failed 
of the desired effect upon his crowded and admiring audiences. 
In America, which had engaged much of his attention, he was 
destined to close his eyes. He died at Newbury-Port, thirty 
miles from Boston, in 1770. When the report of his decease 
reached the legislature of Georgia, honorable mention was made 
of him, and a sum of money appropriated with a unanimous 
voice for bringing his remains to Georgia, to be interred at his 
orphan house ; but the inhabitants at Newbury-Port being 
much attached to him when living, objected to the removal 
of his body, and the design was relinquished. 

In a letter from Dr. Franklin to Dr. Jones, mentioning Mr. 
Whitefield, he sa^-s "I cannot forbear expressing the pleasure 
it gives me, to see an account of the respect paid to his mem- 
ory by your assembly : I knew him intimately upwards of thirty 
years ; his integrity, disinterestedness and indefatigable zeal, 
in prosecuting every good work, I have never seen equalled, I 
shall never see excelled.'^ In delineating the character of this 
amiable man, I have dwelt with enthusiastic delight, because 
the tenor of his whole life corresponded with the principles he 
professed. 

The orphan house was built under the direction of Mr. James 
Habersham, who had the entire management of the funds, and 
appears to have taken a warm interest in the success of Mr. 
Whitefield's laudable institution. When the house was put 
in a condition for the reception of orphan children, Mr. Haber- 
sham was appointed president, and was furnished with the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 171^1. 117 

necessary teachers, servants, books, and other necessaries for 
the use of the school and the cultivation of the land. In a let- 
ter from this gentleman to Governor Belcher of Massachusetts, 
he says, "surely the Lord intends to bring forth much good 
out of this establishment : the lands produced a better crop this 
year, than we had a right to expect, and indeed God seems 
pleased to smile upon all our efforts by the appearance of their 
prosperity: our family now consists of eighty-four persons, 
men, women and children, besides nineteen servants, and five 
in the infirmary : the latter have a doctor and a nurse to attend 
them. I have now fifty-eight children under my care, who 
are orphans and objects of charity; nineteen of them are from 
Carolina, and the remainder of this province: surely God has 
many blessings in store for our reverend friend Mr. White- 
field." 

In Mr. Habersham's letters, he frequently complains of the 
exercise of arbitrary power, by the justices who presided over 
the civil affairs of the province. He says that in many in- 
stances, students who promised to be ornaments to society, were 
withdraviTi from school in the midst of an unfinished branch of 
education, and bound out as servants ; that on these occasions 
he was never consulted, and that his remonstrances were treated 
with contempt: that he several times addressed general Ogle- 
thorpe upon the same subject, but he refused to restrain the 
powers exercised by the magistrates. In one of his letters to 
the general, he says, "you have laid me under great obligations 
to your excellency, by requesting an undisguised disclosure of 
my sentiments respecting the general regulations and arrange 
ments of the province ; I shall give it to you with that candour 
which becomes an honest man. 

"I wish your excellency's plans of industry could be put m 
practice, but I do not think them practicable by the people who 
now inhabit this colony ; a skilful industrious tenant would 
easily clear his rent, and provide a comfortable subsistence for 
himself and family ; but unfortunately, there is too much of the 



118 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1742, 

genteel spirit prevailing amongst the inhabitants of the prov- 
ince, to hope for a prospect so desirable." He acknowledges 
his ig-norance of farming, and states generally, the difficulties 
which will prevail in the cultivation of rice without some ne- 
groes, and the assistance of machinery to prepare it for mar- 
ket. He gives a correct view of the poverty of the pine land, 
laid off for the poor people indiscriminately, and the tenures 
on which they are allowed to hold their land ; he makes some 
observations on the weak heads and corrupt hearts of the mag- 
istrates, as well as the profligate, licentious conduct of the peo- 
ple generally about Savannah, who he considered as useless in 
Georgia, as they had been in England; that two of the magis- 
trates had encouraged a settlement of papists in the neighbor- 
hood of the Orphan-house, whose tenets and conduct had be- 
come injurious and offensive to the institution ; that after an 
experiment of nine years, to the loss of many hundreds of poor 
souls, he thought it was time that the chimerical scheme of 
settlement by the trustees should be relinquished or altered ; 
that the general had been surrounded by a parcel of parasites 
who had only flattered and deceived him. "I once thought it 
was unlawful and unjust to keep slaves, but am now inclined 
to think, Grod may have a higher end in permitting them to 
be brought into a christian country, than merely to support 
their masters. Many of the poor slaves in America have al- 
ready been made free-men of the heavenly Jerusalem, and pos- 
sibly a time may come, when many thousands may embrace 
the gospel, and thereby be brought into the glorious liberty of 
the children of God." He mentions many other considerations 
in justification of a limited use of negroes in a colony, which 
is incapable of advantageous cultivation without them: he 
closes this letter by respectfully assuring the general, of the 
candor of its contents in conformity with his request. 

Frederica was settled by general Oglethorpe in February, 
1736, on the island of St. Simons, south of the Alatamaha, and 
on the west side of that island about the centre. It stands upon 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, nJk2. 119 

a high bluff, compared with the marshes in its front : the shore 
is washed by a fine river which communicates with the Alata- 
maha, and enters the ocean through Jekyl sound, at the south 
end of the island. It forms a bay before the town, and is navi- 
gable for vessels of large burthen. The town was defended by 
a pretty strong fort of tappy, and several eighteen pounders 
were mounted on a ravelin in front, which commanded the 
river. The fort was surrounded with regular ramparts, had 
four bastions of earth, stockaded and turfed, and a palisaded 
ditch which included the store-houses : two large and spacious 
buildings of brick and timber, with several pieces of ordnance 
mounted on the rampart: the towa was also surrounded by a 
rampart, with flankers of the same thickness with that round 
the fort, in form of a pentagon, and a dry ditch. The whole 
circumference of the town was about one mile and a half, in- 
cluding the camp for general Oglethorpe's regiment at the north 
side of the town ; the parades on the east, and a small wood to 
the south, which was left for the conveniency of fuel and pas- 
turage, and served as a blind to the enemy in case of an attack 
from shipping coming up the river. The town had two gates 
called the town and water posts ; next to the latter was the 
guard-house, under which was a prison, handsomely built of 
brick: at the north end the barracks were built of tappy, and 
near them the magaine : a road was opened to the southward 
to the plantations of captain Demere, Mr. Hawkins, and gen- 
eral Oglethorpe : the latter at a little distance resembled a neat 
little country village ; farther on were several families of Saltz- 
burghers. Bachelors redoubt was on the main, where was kept 
a look out of rangers ; a corporal's guard was kept at Pike's bluff 
on the north, and a canal was cut through the general's island, 
to facilitate the communication with Darien. Frederica was 
laid out with spacious streets, named after the officers and 
margined with orange trees. The civil government, as in 
other parts of the province, was administered by three magis- 
trates or justices, assisted by a recorder, constables and tything- 



120 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1742. 

men. At the south point of the island, was a little town called 
St. Simons ; near it a small battery was built as a watch-tower 
to discover vessels at sea, and upon such discovery an alarm 
gun was fired, and a horse-man sent with notice to head-quar- 
ters, about nine miles distant. In case an enemy appeared, 
the number of guns fired, gave notice of the number of vessels. 
A work was also built on the north end of Jekyl island, where 
a brewery was established to make beer for the troops: on the 
north end or high point of Cumberland island, a small battery 
was erected to protect the inland navigation, as well as St. An- 
drew's sound ; at the south end was a work of considerable regu- 
larity and strength, called fort William, commanding the en- 
trance to St. Mary's. Fort George was built at the mouth of 
St. John's river, near Oglethorpe's hill. The garrison was 
withdrawn in conformity with one of the stipulations in the 
treaty of September, 1736. A stronger proof cannot be given 
of general Oglethorpe's indefatigable zeal and industry, than 
that all these fortifications were erected in seven months. 

The settlement on St. Simons island being on the frontier, 
as well as the one at Darien on the Alatamaha, afforded abun- 
dant scope for the exercise of a warlike temper; and having re- 
ceived a severe blow from the garrison at Augustine, the high- 
landers anxiously waited for an opportunity of revenging the 
massacre of their beloved friends at fort Moosa ; and the time 
was approaching to give them what they desired. Though the 
territory granted by the second charter to the proprietors of 
Carolina extended far to the south of the river Alatamaha, the 
Spaniards had never relinquished their pretended claim to that 
part of the province of Georgia. The Spanish ambassador at 
the British court, had declared that his catholic majesty had 
as good a claim to the territory in question, as he had to Madrid, 
and that he would as soon think of surrendering the one as the 
other, to Great-Britain. The squadron commanded by Admiral 
Vernon, had for some time occupied so much of their attention 
in the West-Indies, that none of the Spanish fleet could be 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 171^2. 121 

spared to maintain their supposed right : but no sooner had the 
greatest part of the British fleet left those seas and returned to 
England, than the Spaniards turned their attention to Georgia, 
and commenced preparations for dislodging the English settlers 
in that province. Finding that threats and menaces could not 
terrify Oglethorpe into compliance with their demands, they 
determined to try the force of arms. They were aware that 
the general had made himself unpopular in South-Carolina by 
the failure of his attack upon St. Augustine, and of the dis- 
gust entertained by the settlers of Georgia, against the plan 
of the trustees government, from which they had formed an 
antipathy to his person ; and determined to take advantage of 
such a favorable moment to destroy his little army and set- 
tlement. Accordingly an armament was prepared at Havana 
to be sent against him to expel him by force of arms from their 
frontiers : with this view two thousand troops commanded by 
Don Antonio de Rodondo, embarked at Havanna, and arrived 
about the first of May, at St. Augustine: but before this for- 
midable fleet and armament had reached their destination, they 
were discovered by captain Haymer of the Flamborough man of 
war, who was cruising on that coast ; and advice was immedi- 
ately sent to general Oglethorpe of their arrival in Florida. 

The general had now a fair opportunity of testing his mili- 
tary talents ; such an army as this, reinforced by the troops at 
Augustine, was sufficient to make Georgia tremble: Oglethorpe 
sent intelligence to governor Glen of South-Carolina, both by 
land and water, requesting his military assistance with all pos- 
sible expedition, and at the same time he despatched a sloop 
to the West-Indies to acquaint admiral Vernon with the ex- 
pected invasion. 

By this time, Carolina had found great advantage from the 
settlement of Georgia, which had proved an excellent barrier 
to that province against the incursions of the Spaniards and 
the Indians, under their control. The southern parts being 
rendered secure by Oglethorpe's regiment in Georgia, the lands 



122 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17Jf2. 

south-west of Port-Royal became in great demand, and had 
risen to four times their former value: though the Carolinians 
were equally interested with their neighbors in the defence 
of Georgia, having little confidence in the general's military 
abilities, since his unsuccessful expedition against Augustine, 
the planters were seized with a panic, especially those on the 
southern parts of the province, deserted their plantations and 
fled to Charleston with their families and effects: the inhabi- 
tants of Charleston, many of whom were prejudiced against 
Oglethorpe, declared against sending him any assistance, and 
determined to fortify their town and defend themselves upon 
their own ground, and left Oglethorpe to stand or fall against 
a superior force. In such an emergency, policy evidently re- 
quired the firmest union and the utmost exertion of the com- 
bined force of the colonies. If Oglethorpe had been overpow- 
ered and crushed, the reduction of Georgia would have opened 
to the enemy, an easy access into the bowels of Carolina, and 
offered both provinces a divided prey to the Spaniards. In the 
mean time general Oglethorpe was making every possible prep- 
aration at Frederica, to give a warm reception to the Spanish 
Don, at the head of a formidable force. Messages were sent 
by the general, to his faithful Indian allies, who gathered to 
his assistance in the hour of danger. Captain Mcintosh's com- 
pany of highlanders, joined him on the first notice from Darien, 
and evidenced their anxiety of retorting Spanish vengeance 
upon their own heads. With his regiment, a few rangers, high- 
landers and Indians, the general fixed his head quarters at Fred- 
erica, not allowing himself to doubt of a reinforcement from 
Carolina and expecting their arrival every hour; but deter- 
mined in case of attack before the reinforcement arrived, that 
the Spaniards should purchase the province at the expense of 
many of their lives. 

On the 21st of June, nine sail of Spanish vessels came into 
Amelia sound; but the eighteen pounders from fort William, 
commanded by ensign Alexander Stuart, and the guard 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17Jf2. 123 

schooner with eighty men, commanded by captain Dunbar, gave 
them such a warm reception, as to keep them at a respectable 
distance. When the general was advised of this attack, he re- 
solved to support the fortifications on Cumberland, and set out 
with a detachment on board of his boats ; sent captain Horton 
with his company of grenadiers in front, and was himself 
obliged to fight his way in two boats, through fourteen sail of 
Spanish vessels, which endeavored to intercept him in St. An- 
drews sound. Lieutenant Tolson, who commanded the boat 
of the greatest strength, instead of following the general, ran 
into a marsh, where he remained until next morning: when 
this ofiicer returned to Frederica, he was arrested, tried and 
found guilty of cowardice. Major Heron from the shore, 
seeing the general surrounded by the enemy, and obscured by 
smoke, was alarmed for his fate ; but next day to the great joy 
of the garrison, he returned in the guard schooner to St. Simons. 
After having withdravvm the troops from St. Andrews, and re- 
inforced fort William, he ordered his detachments from Jekyl 
and the main, and sent another express to the governor of Caro- 
lina, by Mr. Mulryne, informing him of his situation and urg- 
ing the necessity of a reinforcement. 

On the 2Sth of June, the Spanish fleet amounting to thirty- 
six sail, and carrying upwards of five thousand men, including 
seamen and marines, under the command of Don Manuel de 
Monteano, came to anchor off St. Simons' bar, where they re- 
mained until the 5th of July, sounding the channel ; and after 
finding a depth of water sufficient to admit the ships, came in 
on the flood tide : they were received with a brisk fire from 
the batteries and the vessels. One of the Spanish ships of 
twenty-two guns, and a galley with an eighteen and two nine 
pounders, attempted to board captain Thompson's ship ; but 
with the assistance of captain Carr's marines, lieutenant Wall's 
and ensign Otterbridge's infantry made such a brave defence, 
that the Spaniards were obliged to retire with considerable 
loss. A snow of sixteen guns at the same time attempted to 



124 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 111^2. 

board the guard schooner, but was also repulsed by captain 
Dunbar. This engagement lasted upwards of three hours ; the 
enemy lost seventeen killed and ten wounded. The fleet an- 
chored about a mile above Oglethorpe's works at the south end 
of the island, hoisted a red flag at the mizen topmast-head of 
the largest ship, landed their forces upon the island, and erected 
a battery, on which twenty eighteen pounders were mounted. 
Amongst their land forces they had a fine regiment of artillery, 
imder the command of Don Antonio De Rodondo, and a regi- 
ment of negroes. The negro commanders were clothed in lace, 
bore the same rank with the white officers, and with equal free- 
dom and familiarity, walked and conversed with the commander 
in chief. Such an example might have justly alarmed the 
Carolinians. 

When general Oglethorpe found that his battery at St. Simons 
had become useless, and his situation hazardous, he spiked up 
his guns, burst the bombs and grendoes, destroyed his stores, 
and retired to his head-quarters at Frederica — so great was 
the force of the enemy, that he plainly perceived that nothing 
remained for him to achieve with his handful of men ; he there- 
fore resolved to use his utmost vigilance, and to act only on the 
defensive. He kept scouting parties in every direction to watch 
the motions of the enemy, while his main body were employed 
in working at the fortifications, making them as strong as cir- 
cumstances would admit. Day and night he kept his Indian 
aUies ranging through the woods to harass the out posts of the 
enemy. The general's scouting parties brought in five Spanish 
prisoners, Avho informed him of their number and force, and 
that the governor of Augustine was commander in chief of the 
expedition. The general still expecting a reinforcement from 
Carolina, used all his address in planning measures for gaining 
time and preventing the troops from being discouraged; for 
this purpose he sent out the highland company also to assist 
the Indians, and obstruct as much as possible the approach of 
the enemy, until he should receive assistance from Carolina. 



HI8T0RY OF GEORGIA, 1742. 125 

His provisions for the garrison were neither good nor plentiful, 
and his great distance from anv settlements, together with the 
enemy keeping the command of the river, left him without a 
prospect of getting a supply: he carefully concealed these dis- 
couraging circumstances from his little army, which did not 
amount to more than seven hundred men. To animate them 
with a spirit of perseverance, he exposed himself to the same 
hardships and fatigues with the common soldiers ; and in the 
worst of events, could have secured the retreat of a considerable 
portion of his garrison through Alligator Creek, and his cut 
through Generals island. In the mean time the Spaniards had 
made several attempts to pierce through the woods, with a view 
to attack the fort, but met with such opposition from the deep 
morasses and dark thickets, defended by the Indians and high- 
landers, that every effort failed with considerable loss. Don 
Manuel de Monteano, had no other prospect left, and these 
difficulties must either be surmounted or the design relin- 
quished : for this purpose parties were kept in motion to ex- 
plore the thickets, and to take possession of advantageous posts. 
On the 7th of July, about nine o'clock in the morning, a 
ranger from the patrol, brought information to the general, 
that a body of the enemy had approached within two miles of 
Frederica. He ordered four platoons of the regiment immedi- 
ately to follow him, and marched with some rangers, highland- 
ers and Indians, who were then under arms, and attacked the 
enemy about a mile from the fort, as they were entering a sa- 
vanna, to take possession of a ditch which they intended to use 
as an intrenchment. The general attacked them with such 
vigor, that they were soon defeated, and one hundred and 
twenty-nine killed and taken prisoners: the general took two 
prisoners with his own hand. Lieut. Scroggs, of the rangers, 
took capt. Sachio prisoner, who commanded the party. Too- 
anohowi* an Indian chief, was shot in the right arm by captain 

* Tooanohowi was the nephew of Tomochichi, and with him accompanied 
General Oglethorpe to England, in 1734. 



126 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 111^2. 

Mageleto ; he drew his pistol with the left and shot the captain 
dead upon the spot. The general pursued the enemy two miles, 
and halted upon an advantageous piece of ground, until a re- 
inforcement came up. He posted them with the highlanders, 
in a wood, with a large savanna in front, over which the Span- 
iards must pass on their way to Frederica. He hastened to the 
fort and ordered an additional force to be in readiness, in case 
of necessity. By the time this arrangement was made, three 
hundred of the enemy's best troops attacked the party he had 
left. He hastened to their relief and met three platoons, who 
in the smoke and drizzling rain, had retreated in disorder, and 
the fire continuing, he ordered these platoons to rally and fol- 
low him, and rushed on with his party to the assistance of the 
other platoon and the highlanders, who continued the conflict : 
when he arrived he found that lieutenants Sutherland and 
Mackay, had entirely defeated the enemy. In this action Don 
Antonio de Barba, was mortally wounded, and several of the 
enemy were killed and taken. Captain Demere and ensign 
Gibbon, rallied their platoons, and came up to the ground. Cap- 
tain Carr and his company of marines, and lieutenant Cadogan, 
with a party of the regiment, came up at the same time, and 
were followed by Major Heron, with another body of the regi- 
ment. In these two actions the enemy lost two captains, one 
lieutenant, two sergeants, two drummers and one hundred 
and sixty private soldiers ; and one captain and nineteen pri- 
vates, were taken prisoners. 

The next morning he returned to Frederica, and as an en- 
couragement and stimulus to bravery, lieutenants Primrose, 
Maxwell and Mackay, were appointed his aids-de-camp; lieut. 
Sutherland brigade major, and sergeant Stuart, ensign. On 
the 12th, one of the English prisoners escaped from the Span- 
iards, who reported, that on calling the rolls of the enemy, they 
had lost two hundred and forty men, and nineteen Indians. 
The Spanish commander, finding he could make no advanta- 
geous impression on the fort in this way, changed his' plan of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17 42. 127 

operations, and keeping his troops under cover of his cannon, 
proceeded with his gallies up the river with the tide, to recon- 
noitre the fort, and draw the general's attention to another 
quarter. The general fixed on an advantageous spot, and sent 
a party of Indians, with orders to lie in ambuscade in the woods 
and grass, and endeavor to prevent their landing, which suc- 
ceeded. About the same time, another English prisoner escaped 
from the Spanish camp, and brought advice to general Ogle- 
thorpe, of a difference subsisting in it, between the troops from 
Cuba, and those from Augustine; and that in consequence of 
this misunderstanding, they encamped in separate places. The 
general thought this afforded him a favorable opportunity of 
taking an advantage of the enemy, and he resolved to attempt 
a surprise upon one of the encampments. With the advantage 
of his knowledge of the woods, he marched out in the night 
with three hundred regular troops, the highland company, ran- 
gers and Indians. Having advanced within two miles of the 
enemy's camp he halted, and went forward with a small party 
to take a view of their posture: but while he wished above all 
other considerations to conceal his approach, a Frenchman from 
his party, fired his musket, run off to the enemy and gave the 
alarm : Oglethorpe finding his design defeated by this traitor, 
thought it prudent to retreat to Frederica. Apprehensive that 
the deserter would discover his weakness to the enemy, he re- 
sorted to the operations of his genius, to devise a plan by which 
he might destroy the credibility of the deserter's information. 
For this purpose he wrote a letter, and addressed it to the 
traitor, in which he desired him to acquaint the Spaniards of 
the defenceless state of Frederica, and how easy and practicable 
it would be to cut him and his small garrison to pieces. He 
requested him to use every art in urging them forward to an 
attack, and to assure them of success ; but if he could not pre- 
vail with them to make that attempt, to use every influential 
argument to detain them two or three days longer upon the isl- 
and, for within that time, according to advice he had received 



128 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17Jf2. 

from Carolina, he should receive a reinforcement of two thou- 
sand land forces, and six British ships of war, with which he 
felt assured he would be able to give a good account of the Span- 
ish invaders ; and closed his letter with the strictest cautions 
against his subjecting himself to suspicion, reminding him of 
the great reward he was to receive from his king, in the event 
of success attending the plan ; and urging the necessity of pro- 
found silence respecting Admiral Vernon's intentions against 
Augustine. This letter was given by Oglethorpe, to one of 
the Spanish prisoners, who for the sake of liberty and a small 
reward, promised to deliver it to the French deserter, privately, 
and conceal the circumstance from the knowledge of any other 
person; observing that the Frenchman was not a deserter, but 
a spy upon the Spanish camp. With these injunctions, the 
Spanish soldier was liberated, and as Oglethorpe wished and 
expected, the letter was delivered to the Spanish commander 
in chief. The conjectures and speculations, occasioned by this 
letter, were various ; and the Spanish commandant was not a 
little perplexed to know what inference he ought to draw from 
it. In the first place, he ordered the supposed spy to be put 
in irons to prevent his escape, and then called a council of war 
to consider what was most proper to be done, in consequence 
of intelligence so puzzling and alarming. Some officers were 
of opinion, that the letter was intended as a deception to pre- 
vent them from attacking Frederica ; others thought that the 
circumstances mentioned in it, wore such an appearance of 
truth, that there were good grounds to believe that the English 
general wished them to take place, and therefore gave their 
voice for consulting the safety of Augustine, and relinquishing 
a plan of conquest attended with so many difiiculties, and put- 
ting to hazard the loss of both army and fleet, and perhaps the 
whole province of East Florida. While the Spanish officers 
were employed in these embarrassing deliberations, fortunately 
three vessels of small force, which the governor of Carolina had 
sent out to watch the motions of the enemy, appeared at some 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1742. 129 

distance on the coast. — This corresponding with part of Ogle- 
thorpe's letter, induced the Spanish commander to give credit 
to its entire contents. It was therefore determined, to attack 
Oglethorpe at his strong hold at Frederica, before the expected 
reinforcement should arrive ; and accordingly the whole Span- 
ish army was put in motion. Captain Noble Jones, with a de- 
tachment of regulars and Indians, being out on a scouting 
party, fell in with a small detachment in the enemy's advance, 
who were surprised and made prisoners, not deeming them- 
selves so far in front of the main army. From these prisoners 
information was received, that the whole Spanish army was 
advancing: this was immediately communicated by an Indian 
runner to the general, who detached captain Dunbar with a 
company of grenadiers, to join the regulars and Indians, with 
orders to harass the enemy on their advance. These detach- 
ments having formed a junction, observed at a distance the 
Spanish army on the march ; and taking a favorable position 
near a marsh, formed an ambuscade. The enemy fortunately 
halted within a hundred paces of this position, stacked their 
arms, made fires, and were preparing their kettles for cooking, 
when a horse observed some of the party in ambuscade, and 
frightened at the uniform of the regulars, began to snort, and 
gave the alarm. The Spaniards ran to their arms, but were 
shot down in great numbers by Oglethorpe's detachment, who 
continued invisible to the enemy; and after repeated attempts 
to form, in which some of their principal officers fell, they fled 
with the utmost precipitation, leaving their camp equipage on 
the field, and never halted until they had got under cover of 
the guns of their battery and ships. General Oglethorpe had 
detached major Horton with a reinforcement, who arrived only 
in time to join in the pursuit. So complete was the surprise 
of the enemy, that many fled without their arms ; others in a 
rapid retreat, discharged their muskets over their shoulders at 
their pursuers ; and many were killed by the loaded arms which 
were left on the ground : generally the Spaniards fired so much 
9 



130 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 111^2. 

at random that the trees were primed by the balls from their 
muskets: their loss in killed, wounded and prisoners, was esti- 
mated at five hundred. The loss in Oglethorpe's detachment 
was very inconsiderable. From the signal victory obtained 
over the enemy, and the great slaughter amongst the Spanish 
troops, the scene of action just described, has ever since been 
denominated the bloody marsh. On the 14th, the Spaniards 
burned all the works and houses on the south end of St. Simons 
and Jekyl Islands. On the 15th, all the large vessels with the 
Cuba forces on board, sailed to the southward, and the governor 
and troops from St. Augustine embarked in the small craft, and 
went by the inland passage, and encamped on the north end of 
Cumberland, at fort St. Andrews. On the 16th, the general 
pursued the enemy by the inland passage and landed where 
they had encamped, and sent an express in the night to ensign 
Stuart, who commanded at fort William, directing him in case 
of an attack, to defend it to the last extremity, and that he would 
reinforce him early the next day. At day-light twenty eight 
sail of the Spanish line appeared off fort William, fourteen of 
which came into the harbor, and demanded a surrender of the 
garrison: Stuart replied that it should not be surrendered, nor 
could it be taken : they attacked the works from their gallies 
and other vessels, and attempted to land, but were repulsed by 
a small party of rangers who had arrived by a forced march 
down the island. Stuart with only sixty men, defended the 
fort with such bravery, that after an assault of three hours, 
the enemy discovered the approach of Oglethorpe, and put to 
sea with considerable loss : two gallies were disabled and aban- 
doned, and the governor of Augustine proceeded with his troops 
by the inland passage: ensign Stuart was rewarded by promo- 
tion, for the bravery of his defence. 

Thus was the province of Georgia delivered, when brought 
to the very brink of destruction, by a formidable enemy. Don 
Manuel de Monteano, had been fifteen days on the small island 
of St. Simons, without gaining the least advantage over a hand- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 111^2. 131 

ful of men ; and in the several skirmishes, had lost a consider- 
able number of his best troops ; while Oglethorpe's loss was very 
inconsiderable. In this resolute defence of the provinces, Ogle- 
thorpe displayed great military skill and personal bravery, and 
justly merited the encomiums of Carolina as well as Georgia. 
It is more than probable that the Spaniards had Carolina 
chiefly in view, and had meditated a conquest where rich plun- 
der could have been obtained, and where by an accession of 
slaves, they might have increased their force in the same ratio 
with their progress. The Carolinians made a poor figure in 
defence of their country: when union, activity, and military 
exertions were so requisite, they ingloriously stood aloof, and 
suffered private pique to prevail over public utility, and seemed 
determined to risk the safety of their country, rather than that 
general Oglethorpe, by their assistance, should gain the smallest 
degree of honor and reputation. They at length sent some 
ships, but coming so late, they proved useful rather from the 
fortunate cooperation of an incidental stratagem, than from 
the zeal and public spirit of the colony. The Georgians, with 
justice reproached their more powerful neighbors, who, by 
keeping at a distance in the hour of danger, hazarded the safety 
of both provinces. Had the enemy pursued their operations 
with vigor and courage, the province of Georgia must have fal- 
len a prey to the invaders, and Carolina had every thing to 
dread from such a conquest. Instead of raising or exaggerating 
this success, to do honor to the general's character, we ought 
rather to lessen or abridge some of its circumstances, to render 
it in such an age as that, more credible ; but having attempted 
no embellishments, the facts are represented step by step, and 
the reader is left to judge whether he did not gather laurels, 
which he well deserved to wear. 

The province of Carolina justified her conduct, by acknowl- 
edgements made to the governor, not only for his zeal and dili- 
gence in putting Charleston and the province, in the best pos- 
ture for defence against the enemy, but also for giving their 



132 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1743. 

invaded neighbors in Georgia, all the relief and assistance his 
circumstances would permit ; and that if the officer who com- 
manded the relief sent to the coast of Georgia, did not think 
fit to pursue and attack the enemy, with the twelve vessels 
under his command, the governor of Carolina was not charge- 
able with that neglect, as he had directed that officer to adopt 
the most effectual measures for repelling the present invasion 
of Georgia, and destroying the ships and vessels of the Span- 
iards ; as well while they continued within the ports, harbors, 
or districts of that colony, as on the sea-coast thereof, or even 
in Augustine itself: and that the commodores conduct, had not 
been consonant to the governors orders, was matter of real cha- 
grin. This effort to throw the blame upon the commodore, was 
a flimsy resort : the enemy was treble his number and force ; 
yet he was required not only to drive them from the coast of 
Georgia, but to annoy them in their own port. The narrow and 
impolitic consideration of its own security, appears to have 
been the governing principle of Carolina ; nor had the governor 
been able to overcome the chagrin occasioned by the appoint- 
ment of Oglethorpe, to the chief command over that province, 
as well as the one of which he was governor. 

When the Spanish troops returned to the Havanna, their 
commander was arrested and tried by a court martial, found 
guilty and dismissed with disgrace, for his improper conduct 
on an expedition, the result of which proved so shameful and 
ignominious to the Spanish arms. 

After the invasion of Georgia, the Spaniards made an effort 
to strengthen the frontier of East-Florida, by sending a troop 
of dragoons to St. Johns river, where they attacked and de- 
feated a party of Indians. Oglethorpe was informed the next 
day, that a strong party was on their march from Augustine 
to reinforce them. On the 20th of March, the general em- 
barked in small boats against them, with the highland company 
and the rangers of his own regiment, and landed in the night 
at St. Johns, where he was joined by the Indians. They ad- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1743. 133 

vanced undiscovered in the night, surprised the Spaniards, and 
killed upwards of forty of them, with the loss of only one In- 
dian: the next morning the general pursued the enemy so 
closely, that his Indians killed several of their rear guard: he 
continued the pursuit to Augustine, where he used every effort 
to draw the Spanish force out to action, but without effect — he 
posted the grenadiers and some of his troops in ambuscade, ad- 
vanced himself with a few men and some Indians in sight of 
the town, intending to skirmish and retire, in order to draw 
them into action, but to no purpose. The Indians pressed the 
retreating enemy so close that several were killed under cover 
of their cannon: having driven the enemy into their strong 
hold, he returned to Frederica. 

The Carolinians were still divided in their opinions, respect- 
ing the military character of Oglethorpe: while one party ac- 
knowledged his signal services, and poured out the highest 
encomiums on his courage and military skill, another shame- 
fully censured his conduct and meanly detracted from his 
merit. No public notice was taken of his services in South- 
Carolina, except by the inhabitants in and about Port Royal; 
from which place a number of them addressed him as follows : — 

"We the inhabitants of the southern parts of Carolina, beg 
leave to congratulate your excellency on your late wonderful 
success over your and our inveterate enemies, the Spaniards; 
who lately invaded Georgia, in such a numerous and formid- 
able body, to the great terror of his majesty's subjects in these 
southern parts. It was very certain that if the Spaniards had 
succeeded in those attempts against your excellency, they would 
also have entirely destroyed us ; laid our province waste and 
desolate, and filled our habitations with blood and slaughter; 
so that his majesty must have lost the fine and spacious harbor 
of Port-Royal, where the largest ships of the British nation 
may remain in security, on any occasion. 

"We are very sensible of the great protection and safety we 
have long enjoyed, by your excellency's being to the southward 



134 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17^3. 

of us, and keeping your armed sloops cruising on the coast, 
which has given more security to our trade and property than 
all the ships of war ever stationed at Charleston ; but more by 
your late resolution in frustrating the attempts of the Span- 
iards when^nothing could have saved us from utter ruin, next 
to the providence of Almighty God, but your excellency's singu- 
lar exertions, and the bravery of the troops under your com- 
mand : we think it our duty to pray God to protect your excel- 
lency, and send you success in all your undertakings for his 
majesty's service ; and we assure your excellency, that there is 
not a man of us, but would most willingly have ventured his 
all, in support of your excellency, and your gallant troops, had 
we been assisted and put in a condition to have been of service 
to you; and that we always considered our interest to be so 
united to that of the colony of Georgia, that had your excellency 
been cut off, we must have fallen of course." 

The governors of New- York, iN'ew-Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
Maryland, Virginia, and North-Carolina, addressed letters to 
general Oglethorpe, congratulating him upon the important 
services rendered to the colonies ; and assuring him of the in- 
terest they felt in the honor he had acquired by his indefatigable 
exertions, constant exposure, extraordinary courage, and un- 
equalled military conduct; offering their humble thanks to the 
Supreme Governor of the universe, for placing the fate of the 
southern colonies under the direction of a general, so well 
qualified for the important task. 

While these governors and a few of the inhabitants about 
Port-Royal in South Carolina, were thus tendering tributes of 
respect and gratitude to general Oglethorpe, reports prejudi- 
cial to his character were circulating in Charleston, particu- 
larly by the writers of some letters which were addressed to the 
trustees, and pamphlets to the public, which have been noticed 
heretofore ; insomuch that his honor and integrity were called 
in question: these malicious rumours had reached London and 
occasioned some of his bills of exchange to be returned to 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1743. 135 

America, protested. Lieutenant Colonel William Cook, who 
owed his preferment to the general's particular friendship, on 
pretence of indisposition, had left Georgia before the invasion ; 
exhibited nineteen charges against him, and named several 
officers, soldiers and citizens in Georgia, who were to be sum- 
moned to prove the general's guilt.. As Oglethorpe had stretched 
his credit, exhausted his strength, and risked his life for the 
defence of Carolina and its frontier colony, such a recompense 
must have been equally mortifying as it was unmerited: and 
as such injurious treatment could not have had its birth 
amongst the wise and worthy part of the community, it must 
be ascribed to the envious and malicious, too many of whom 
are to be found in all communities. Envy cannot brook the 
blaze of superior virtues; and malice rejoices in the stains 
which even falsehood throws on a distinguished character : and 
under colour of the freedom of the press, the worst of men may 
step forth under its shield, and tarnish for a time, the reputa- 
tion of the best men. Oglethorpe stood high enough to treat 
these charges with contempt ; but the rude attack of an inferior 
officer, required such a repulse, that himself might fall into 
the pit, which his ingratitude had prompted him to dig for 
another. The general accordingly embarked, and arrived in 
England in September: a general court-martial was ordered 
for his trial, to convene at the Horse-guards ; several days were 
spent in the examination of the various articles of complaint 
lodged against him, and after the most mature deliberation, the 
court adjudged the charges to be false, malicious, and ground- 
less; and his honorable acquittal was reported to the king: in 
consequence of which, lieutenant-colonel Cook, was dismissed 
from the service, and declared incapable of serving his majesty 
in any military capacity whatever. By these means the repu- 
tation of general Oglethorpe, was cleared of those calumnies 
with which it had been assailed, and he appeared to the world 
in his true character. Carolina owed to this benefactor, her 
friendship and affections: Georgia was indebted to him for 



136 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17J^3. 

her existence and protection: and his generous services to both 
colonies, deserve to be deeply imprinted on the memory of every 
inhabitant, and the benefits resulting from them to be grate- 
fully remembered to the latest ages. 

A list of the Spanish forces, employed in the invasion of 
Georgia, imder the command of Don Manuel de Monteano : 

One 'regiment of dismounted Dragoons 400 

Havanna Regiment 500 

Havanna Militia 1,000 

Regiment of Artillery 400 

Florida Militia 400 

Batallion of Mulattoes 300 

Black Regiment 400 

Indians 90 

Marines 600 

Seamen 1,000 

Total 5,090 



General Oglethorpe's command consisted of 

His Regiment 472 

Company of Rangers 30 

Highlanders 50 

Armed Militia : 40 

Indians 60 



Total 652 



Ensign Stuart's command at fort William, on the south end 
of Cumberland island, consisted of sixty men: fort William 
was about fifty miles south west from Frederica. 

In this expedition, Tomochichi the old king, had no share: 
he died on the 15th of* October, 1739, about four miles from 
Savannah, in the ninety-seventh year of his age. He appeared 
to be apprised of his approaching fate, and observed in his last 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1743. 137 

hours, that he had but little concern about dying, as he should 
in the event of war with Spain, be unable to take an active part 
in it. He expressed the greatest tenderness for general Ogle- 
thorpe, and exhorted the Indians to bear in remembrance the 
kindness with which he had been received by the king of Eng- 
land, and hoped that they would always be friendly to his sub- 
jects. He had requested that his body might be buried amongst 
the English in Savannah; the corpse was accordingly brought 
there and interred in Percival square, with military honors, 
and the general ordered a pyramid to be erected over the grave, 
with an inscription suitable to his character and standing. 

General Oglethorpe did not return to Georgia; but upon all 
occasions, discovered an uncommon zeal for its prosperity and 
improvement. From its first settlement, the colony had been 
under a military government, executed by the general, and such 
officers as he chose to nominate and appoint. But now the 
trustees thought proper to establish a kind of civil government, 
and committed the charge of it to a president, and four council- 
lors or assistants, who were to act agreeably to the instructions 
they should receive from them;' and to be accountable to that 
corporation for their public conduct. William Stephens was 
appointed president or chief magistrate; and Thomas Jones, 
Henry Parker, John Fallowfield and Samuel Mercer, were ap- 
pointed members of the council, or assistants : they were in- 
structed to hold four general courts at Savannah every year, for 
the regulation of public affairs and to determine all differences 
relating to private property : no public money could be disposed 
of but by a warrant under the hand and seal of the president and 
a majority of the assistants in council assembled, who were in- 
structed to exhibit monthly accounts to the trustees of money 
expended, and of the particular purposes to which it was ap- 
plied. The militia were organized for the purpose of keeping 
the men properly disciplined for military service, and Ogle- 
thorpe's regiment was left for the defence of the colony, under 
the command of major Horton. The infant province under the 



138 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17Jf3. 

care of general Oglethorpe, had combatted and surmounted 
many difficulties and disadvantages, yet it promised but a poor 
recompense to the mother country, for the great sums of money 
expended for its protection and settlement. The indigent emi- 
grants, especially those from England, having little acquaint- 
ance with husbandry and less inclination to labor, made bad 
farmers; and as gi-eater privileges vs^ere allowed them in the 
adjoining province, they were easily decoyed to that colony: 
the Highlanders and Germans being more frugal and indus- 
trious, succeeded better ; but hitherto had made but little prog- 
ress, owing to the wars with the Spaniards, and to the hardships 
attending all kinds of culture. The staple commodities in- 
tended to be raised in Georgia, though profitable articles, were 
of the most improper kind for the first settlers of a new coun- 
try. It appears that the Saltzburghers at Ebenezer as early 
as the year 1738, had made some small experiments in cotton, 
which they found to yield abundantly and of an excellent qual- 
ity. The trustees however seem to have fixed their minds upon 
wine and silk, and were not 'disposed to encourage any other 
cultivation. With all their industry, their farms turned out 
to little amount; the most successful could little more than 
subsist their families, and the indolent remained in a starved 
and miserable condition about Savannah. 

Notwithstanding all that Great-Britain had done for the 
population and improvement of the colony, it still remained 
in a poor languishing condition. The settlers consisted of two 
descriptions of people; first, of indigent subjects and foreign- 
ers, whom the trustees supported and maintained for many 
years : secondly, of men of some substance, whom flattering de- 
scriptions of the province had deceived and seduced: after the 
peace with Spain, a considerable part of Oglethorpe's regiment 
being disbanded, a number of soldiers accepted the encourage- 
ment offered them by government, and took up their residence 
in the colony: all adventurers who had brought property with 
them, having by this time exhausted their stock in fruitless ex- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, IIJ^S. 139 

periments, were reduced to indigence; so that emigrants from 
Britain, foreigners and disbanded soldiers, were all upon a 
level, and the prospect before them promised little else than 
that of living poor, dying beggars, and leaving poverty as an 
inheritance to their children : nor was the trade of the province 
more promising than its agriculture. Formerly the inhabitants 
about Savannah had transmitted to the trustees a representation 
of their grievances, but had obtained nothing which amounted 
to relief: but now chagrined with disappointments, and dis- 
pirited by the inhospitality of the climate, they viewed the de- 
signs of the trustees in no other light, than that of having de- 
coyed them into misery. If they had been favored with credit, 
and had proved successful, which was far from being the case, 
as the tenure of their freehold was restricted to male heirs, the 
oldest son only could reap the benefit of their toil, and the rest 
left in a state of dependence on his bounty, or be left wholly 
to the charge of that Being, who feeds the fowls of the air. They 
considered their younger children equally entitled to paternal 
regard, and could not brook the idea of their holding lands 
under such tenure, as excluded them from the rights and privi- 
leges of other colonists. They saw numbers daily leaving the 
province, under the pressure of absolute necessity, and frankly 
represented to the trustees that nothing could prevent it from 
being totally deserted, but the same encouragements as their 
more fortunate neighbors in Carolina. That the trustees might 
have a correct view of their situation, they reiterated their com- 
plaints, and renewed their supplications for redress: they 
stated, that the British constitution, abounding with zealous 
provisions for the rights and liberties of mankind, would not 
permit subjects, who had voluntarily risked their lives, and 
spent their substance on the public faith, to effect a settlement 
in the most dangerous frontiers of the British empire, to be 
deprived of the common privileges of colonists : they complained 
that the land-holders in Georgia were prohibited from selling 
or leasing their possessions; that a tract containing fifty acres 



140 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17J^3. 

of the best land, was too small an allowance for the mainten- 
ance of a family, and much more so, when they were refused 
a freedom to choose it ; that a much higher quit-rent was ex- 
acted from them than was paid for the best lands in other parts 
of North America; that the importation of negroes was pro- 
hibited, and white people were utterly unequal to the labors 
requisite to the cultivation of the swamp or low lands ; that the 
public money granted by parliament for the relief of the set- 
Uement and the improvement of the province, was misapplied, 
and therefore the purposes for which it was granted, were by 
no means answered. That these inconveniences and hardships, 
kept them in a state of poverty and misery ; and that the chief 
causes of their calamities, were the strict adherence of the 
trustees to their chimerical and impracticable schemes of set- 
tlement ; by which the people were refused the obvious means 
of subsistence, and cut off from every possible prospect of suc- 
cess. The trustees ought to have followed the example of the 
proprietors of South-Carolina, and enlarged their plan with 
respect to liberty and property: they could have encouraged 
emigration by such indulgences, and animated the inhabitants 
to diligence and perseverance. The plan of settlement ought 
to have been regulated by the nature of the climate, country, 
soil, the circumstances of the settlers, the result of experience, 
and not by wild speculations. 



CHAPTER V. 

MAJOR Wm. HORTOX, of Gen. Oglethorpe's regiment 
at Frederica, was vested with the command of all the 
troops in the colony, in case of'' attack from an enemy. 
He interfered but little with the civil matters of the province, 
except when his assistance was required to enforce the measures 
of the president and council, and on these occasions acted with 
calmness and humanity ; by which means he acquired the esteem 
and friendship of all the better kind of people in the province. 
Bailiffs or justices of the peace, were appointed in the different 
parts of the province, but vested with very limited powers. 

On the 22d of March, 1744, the bomb magazine was blo^vn 
up at Frederica. Very little damage was done, though it con- 
tained three thousand bombs. Whether fire was communicated 
by design or accident, is not known ; if the shells had not been 
well bedded, the damage must have been very considerable. By 
some it was attributed to an Irishman, who arrived there a few 
days before, and disappeared immediately after the accident 
happened. 

The affairs of the province passed on without any important 
occurrences for several years: the repeated complaints of the 
people were almost exclusively the subjects of colonial discus- 
sion. The tracts of land which had been planted with vines 
and mulberry-trees, scarcely retained the vestiges of cultivation. 
The trustees made another effort to encourage the manufacture 
of silk, by offers of bounty ; a filature, or silk house was built, 
and the necessary articles for preparing the cocoons and wind- 
ing the silk, were directed to be furnished. 

Agriculture had not flourished, and commerce had scarcely 
been thought of : the firm of Harris and Habersham was estab- 
lished, and commenced something like a foreign trade, and in 
the year 1747, imported some foreign articles and established 
a mercantile correspondence in London and the West-Indies; 



142 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, llJ^l. 

and in the next year shipped off several articles, such as deer- 
skins, lumber, cattle, hogs, poultry, &c. On these articles they 
made considerable profit for themselves, and greatly encour- 
aged the planters by the purchase of every article they could 
dispose of, which was saleable broad. 

As agriculture and commerce go hand in hand, petitions were 
drawn up and presented to the trustees, soliciting their patron- 
age to the latter, by an offer of bounties for the products of 
Georgia, but the trustees seem to have fixed their hearts ex- 
clusively upon wine and silk; and these subjects were so much 
canvassed, that the very soimd of those two words became hate- 
ful to the people. 

Schedules were drawn up by those who possessed mercantile 
talents, and laid before the trustees, exhibiting the advantages 
that would result to the mother country as well as to the colo- 
nists, by the allowance of bounties to be appropriated in this 
way, instead of expending such large sums in fruitless efforts, 
for the encouragement of a staple, which the experience of four- 
teen years might have convinced them would not be productive ; 
and that the ruin of the colony must be the result of their plans : 
but the trustees were inflexible. 

Mr. James Habersham, who appears to have been a gentle- 
man of considerable mercantile as well as political talents, at 
the particular request of Mr. Boltzius, stated to him in a letter 
of considerable length, his ideas on agriculture and commerce. 
This letter was closed by a request that it might be considered 
in the light of a confidential communication; because he had 
with great freedom, descanted on the views and conduct of many 
of the leading characters in the province, as well as the chimeri- 
cal plans of the trustees : Mr. Boltzius solicited his consent to 
furnish a reverend friend of his in Germany with a copy, and 
by him the letter was forwarded to the trustees in England. 
When Mr. Habersham was informed of this circumstance, he 
supposed that all hopes of future favor and countenance from 
that honorable body were at an end, and that his residence there- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1747. 143 

after in the province, would be made extremely unpleasant to 
him, if not insupjDortable, and regretted the latitude with which 
he had licensed Mr. Boltzius, in giving publicity to the con- 
tents of his letter. The strong language and forcible reason- 
ings it contained, attracted the particular notice of the trustees, 
and became a subject of deliberate discussion; and instead of 
bringing the thunder of their vengeance upon him, he was ap- 
pointed a member of the council in Georgia ; and Samuel Mer- 
cer, who had been charged with fraud and mal-practice in office, 
was suspended from the functions of membership, by the board 
in Georgia, and dismissed from office by the trustees. The ap- 
pointment of Mr. Habersham, was as unexpected to his asso- 
ciates in the administration, as it was to himself. In the No- 
vember term of this year, three persons were convicted and sen- 
tenced to suffer death ; one for murder and two for treason : the 
former and one of the latter, were executed ; the other, a lad of 
sixteen years of age, was spared in consideration of his youth, 
at the solicitation of the inhabitants of Savannah. These were 
the first who suffered death under the sentence of the civil au- 
thority in the province. 

Slavery had not yet been formally introduced into Georgia, 
and may be said to have been licensed, rather than authorised. 
The term for which the European servants were engaged, had 
generally expired, and there were no means of remedying this 
difficulty, except by hiring negro servants from their owners in 
South-Carolina ; in which case, if any person attempted to en- 
force the regulation of the trustees, the owner appeared from 
Carolina and claimed his property. Finding that this plan of 
evading the law succeeded, negroes were hired for an hundred 
years, or during life, and a sum equal to the value of the negro 
was paid in advance ; and the pretended owner bound himself 
to exhibit his claim, in case circumstances should render it 
necessary, to secure his services. Finally, purchases were 
openly made in Savannah from x\frican traders : some seizures 
were made by those who opposed the principle, but as a ma- 



144 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17J,7. 

jority of the magistrates were favorable to the introduction of 
slaves into the province, legal decisions were suspended from 
time to time, and a strong disposition evidenced by the courts to 
evade the operation of the law. So great was the majority on 
that side of the question, that anarchy and confusion were likely 
to be kindled into civil war. Several negro servants had been 
purchased for the Orphan-house, and Mr. Habersham declared 
that the institution could not be supported without them. The 
servants sent . over from England by Mr. Whitefield, after a 
few months, refused to yield to the menial duties assigned to 
them; many ran away, and were supported and secreted in 
Carolina by their countrymen, until an opportunity offered to 
escape farther north, where they were secured against a com- 
pliance with the conditions of their indentures ; and the few 
who remained were too old, too young, or too much afflicted with 
disease, to render services equal to a compensation for their 
clothing and subsistence. Those who had fled, soon found that 
they could procure land in the other colonies on easy terms, 
and engage in employments less degrading and more advanta- 
geous. The Highlanders and Germans persisted in their oppo- 
sition: the Reverend Mr. Boltzius, who had taken a warm in- 
terest in the settlement of his country-men at Ebenezer, had 
been uniform in his opposition to the principles of slavery to 
his congregation, and expressed his fears that idleness and dis- 
sipation would grow out of the change, to the destruction of the 
people's morals ; and it was with great difficulty he could be re- 
strained from a repetition of the expression of his feelings, as 
he had been accustomed to do in the execution of his clerical 
functions ; and indeed his eventual yielding, seems to have re- 
sulted from the apprehension of a civil war, rather than from 
any conviction which had changed his opinion, with regard to 
the justice or propriety of the measure. This gentleman had 
uniformly been the particular friend of Mr. Whitefield, but on 
this occasion he addressed a letter to him, charging him with 
a whimsical change of sentiments, destructive to industry and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 171^7 145 

morality, denouncing the vengeance of heaven against those 
-who were instrumental in bringing a people under the yoke 
of slavery. Mr. Whiteiield denied his having any participa- 
tion or knowledge, of the change of circumstances which had 
lately taken place in Georgia, until a short time before this let- 
ter was received ; but that he had been taught by the exercise 
of his reflections, to believe with Pope, that "whatever is, is 
best:'' that God had some wise end in view in the permission 
of every occurrence, and that though he could not fathom the 
purposes connected with the slavery of the Africans, yet he had 
no doubt it would terminate to their advantage. That he had 
received a number of letters from Georgia upon the subject, 
which he had submitted to the trustees, on which he was in- 
formed, they were about to decide. When he took into view 
the wretched, miserable, starved condition of the negroes in 
their own country, that for the purpose of gaining a scant tem- 
porary subsistence, the father had sold his sons, his daughters, 
nay his wife, to a barbarous cruel foe ; how much better must 
their condition be, when disposed of in a christian country, 
where they are treated with mildness and humanity, and re- 
quired to perform no more than that portion of labor which 
in some way or other, is the common lot of the human race. 
After duly considering the subject, the trustees directed the 
president in Georgia, to convene a certain number of the in- 
habitants, who should be chosen out of the different districts, 
and who were considered capable of giving the true sentiments 
of a majority of the people upon the introduction of slavery, 
treating largely upon the subject, with such conditions and 
stipulations as would gratify their wishes ; accordingly the presi- 
dent notified to the different districts the objects contemplated 
at this meeting, and twenty-three representatives met at Savan- 
nah, and after appointing major Horton president, they en- 
tered into sundry resolutions, the substance of which was, that 
the owners of slaves should educate the young and use every 
possible means of making religious impressions upon the minds 
10 



146 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17Jf7. 

of the aged, and that all acts of inhumanity should be punished 
by the civil authority. It was thought that under these restric- 
tions, good, instead of evil, would grow out of the measures 
which the people had been so long anxious to adopt. The pro- 
ceedings signed by the president and sanctioned by the mem- 
bers, were transmitted to the trustees : this conference was just 
closed, when major Horton was taken with a malignant fever, 
which soon closed his valuable life. In a letter from Mr. Haber- 
sham to Gen. Oglethorpe, he says, "Major Horton's unwearied 
and generous exertions in the service of this colony, have per- 
haps contributed not a little, to abridge the number of his days. 
By particular desire he came to Savannah, to meet the presi- 
dent, assistants and other representatives, to consult on an affair 
of the greatest importance to the colony: his conduct and 
opinions, gave renewed specimens of his wisdom and prudence. 
Your excellency knew him well, therefore it would be vain in 
me to attempt a description of his merits : envy itself is obliged 
to confess, that he shined in war and in peace, in public and in 
private stations." 

The mode in which land had hitherto been granted, was by a 
warrant from the president to the surveyors, Messrs. Jones or 
Kobison, and a plat descriptive of the lot was annexed to the 
warrant, and recorded by the clerk of the council : the grantees 
were not satisfied with this informal kind of title, and many of 
them sent their grants over to England to have them signed by 
the president of the board of trustees, or some higher power 
than had been vested in the executive of Georgia. Application 
was made to the trustees to grant Hutchinson's island opposite 
to Savannah, to lady Huntingdon, who agreed to place negroes 
on it for the cultivation of rice, so as to furnish a substantial 
and permanent support to the Orphan-house: the proposition 
was not agreed to, but a tract of five hundred acres was granted 
in trust to that lady, who stocked it with negroes, and at her 
decease left a large donation for the use of this institution. 

In the same year the remaining troops of general Oglethorpe's 
reffinient, except one company, were disbanded ; such of them as 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, i7^7. 147 

did not choose to leave the colony, accepted of the lands allotted 
for them agreeably to the promise which had been made by the 
trustees at the time of enlistment : such as wished to return to 
England were conveyed to Charleston in boats, and from thence 
passages were provided for them at the expense of government. 
By the return of these boats from Charleston, Captain Daniel 
Demetree with ten or twelve men came on, and landed at Caus- 
ton's bluff, in Augustine creek, and mentioned to some of the 
inhabitants that he was going to Frederica where he was to be 
stationed: as he had not reported himself to the president and 
council, they had a variety of conjectures respecting his au- 
thority and objects. Caj)tain Jones was desired to wait on him 
and demand an explanation of his extraordinary conduct, in 
neither waiting upon or reporting himself to the president, who 
considered himself at the head of affairs in Georgia, and literally 
clothed with all the powers and functions of governor: Mr. 
Demetree's reply to captain Jones was, that his instructions 
were derived from his grace the duke of Bedford by the consent 
of the trustees ; that he was to report to, receive from and obey 
the orders of governor Glen of South-Carolina, and he reluc- 
tantly appeared before the council to give any explanation. The 
president as may be supposed, was mortified at such contempt- 
uous treatment, and addressed the trustees upon the subject, 
imagining that governor Glen's influence had been improperly 
exercised over the duke's friendship, and that it was contem- 
plated to reduce the consequence of Georgia, if not to place it 
entirely under the government of Carolina ; and that this small 
party would be of little use to the province if placed under his 
own control, and none at all, if placed under governor Glen's: 
he conjectured that the influence of that gentleman had been 
used to bring the province into contempt, and to gratify a pri- 
vate pique, in consequence of a misunderstanding which arose 
from his interference with the Indian trade at Augusta. Some 
men of bad character had been licensed by the governor of Caro- 
lina in this traffic, whom the Indians had charged with commit- 
ting frauds upon them in trade, in consequence of which the 



148 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 11 hi- 

goods of others had been seized, and their lives endangered by 
way of retaliation. This subject had produced an unfriendly 
epistolary correspondence between them which had not been 
satisfactorily reconciled. President Stephens persevered in 
his determination, and directed the troops and inhabitants at 
Frederica to seize the boats which Demetree had in charge on 
his arrival, as the property of Oglethorpe's regiment, and to 
take no notice of Demetree, either in a civil or military capacity 
until further orders; a copy of this letter and a statement of 
Demetree's conduct, were sent to governor Glen. Captain Dem- 
etree's reception was not such as he was entitled to from his 
rank in the army, but such as his rude and improper conduct 
towards the council had justly merited: a few days reflection 
convinced him of the impropriety of his conduct, and on mak- 
ing satisfactory acknowledgments to the president and council, 
he was ordered to take the command. 

On the 14:th of December 1747, a number of Indians hap- 
pened to be at Frederica, when the reverend Thomas Bosom- 
worth was at that place, and a deep plan was laid by that gen- 
tleman, either to destroy the colony, or acquire a fortune equal 
to any in America. An Indian king by the name of Malatche, 
of an age and standing in the Creek nation well suited to an- 
swer Bosomworth's purposes, was present with sixteen others, 
who gave themselves the titles of kings and chiefs of the dif- 
ferent towns. Bosomworth suggested to Malatche, the idea of 
having himself coronated in imperial form, by those of his tribe 
who were with him : accordingly a paper was drawn up, filled 
with royal ceremonies, acknowledging Malatche Opiya Meco, 
to be the rightful, natural prince and emperor of the dominions 
of the Creek nation ; vesting him with powers to make laws, 
frame treaties, declare war, convey lands, and transact all affairs 
relating to the nation ; binding themselves on the part of their 
several towns, to abide by and fulfil all his contracts and en- 
gagements.* 

*See appendix No. 4. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 11J^7. 149 

This paper being signed and sealed by the pretended kings 
and chiefs, and witnessed in due form, Malatche requested that 
a copy of it might be sent over to the king of England for his 
sanction, and to have it put on record among the archives of his 
great ally. Having thus far accomplished his purposes. Bosom- 
worth drew up a deed of conveyance in the common form, from 
Malatche Opiya Meco, emperor of the upper and lower Creek 
nations, to Thomas and Mary Bosom worth, of the colony of 
Georgia, for and in consideration of ten pieces of stroud, twelve 
pieces of duffles, two hundred weight of powder, two hundred 
weight of lead, twenty guns, twelve pair of pistols and one hun- 
dred weight of Vermillion ; warranting and defending to the said 
Thomas and Mary, all those tracts of land, known by the names 
of ITussoope or Ossabaw, Cowleygee or St. Catharine's, and 
Sapelo islands, with their appurtenances, &c. to the said Thomas 
and Mary his wife, their heirs and assigns, as long as the sun 
shall shine, or the waters run in the rivers, forever. Signed 
on the 4th day of the windy moon, corresponding with the 14th 
of December. 

It has been mentioned that a number of the settlers had be- 
come so much dissatisfied with the tenures on which they held 
their lands, that they had removed to Carolina: Bosomworth 
taking advantage of this feeble state of the country, by his 
avarice and ambition the whole colony was brought to the very 
brink of destruction. As the concerns of these settlements are 
closely connected with the affairs of Indian nations, it is im- 
possible to attain proper views of the circumstances and situa- 
tion of the people, without frequently taking notice of the rela- 
tion in which they stood to their savage neighbors : a consider- 
able branch of provincial commerce, as well as the safety of the 
colonists, depended on their friendship with Indians ; and to 
avoid all danger from their savage temper, the exercise of a 
considerable share of prudence and courage was often requisite. 
This will appear more obvious from the following occurrence. 

It has been observed, that at an early period of the settlement 



150 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, i747. 

of Georgia, during the time Gen. Oglethorpe had the direction 
of public affairs, he had from motives of policy, treated an In- 
dian, or rather half breed woman, called Mary Musgrove, after- 
wards Mary Matthews, with particular kindness and generosity. 
rinding that she had great influence amongst the Creeks, and 
understood their language, he made use of her as an interpreter, 
in order the more easily to form treaties of alliance with them ; 
allowing her for her services an hundred pounds sterling a year. 
Thomas Bosomworth, who was chaplain to Oglethorpe's regi- 
ment, had married this woman, accepted a tract of land from 
the crown, and settled in the province. He now determined 
that his wife should assert her claim to the islands of St. Catha- 
^ rine's, Ossabaw and Sapelo, which had been allotted by treaty 
to the Indians, as part of their hunting lands. To stock them, 
this reverend gentleman had purchased cattle from the planters 
of Carolina, from whom he had obtained credit to a consider- 
able amount. The stock not proving so productive as the proud 
ambitious clergyman expected, he adopted this extraordinary 
method of attaining to future greatness and acquiring a for- 
tune: he encouraged his wife into the pretence of being the 
elder sister of Malatche, and of having descended in a maternal 
line from an Indian king, who held from nature the whole ter- 
ritories of the Creeks ; and Bosomworth now persuaded her to 
assert her right to them, as superior not only to that of the trus- 
tees, but also to that of the king. Accordingly Mary assumed 
the title of an independent empress, disavowing all subjection or 
allegiance to the king of Great-Britain, otherwise than by way 
of treaty and alliance, such as one independent sovereign might 
voluntarily enter into with another : a meeting of all the Creeks 
was summoned, to whom Mary made a long speech, in which she 
set forth the justice of her claim, and the great injury she and 
her beloved subjects had sustained by the loss of their territo- 
ries, and urged them to a defence of their rights by force of 
arms. The Indians were fired with rage at the idea of such 
indignity, and to a man pledged themselves to stand by her to 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, llJ^l. 151 

the last drop of their blood in defence of her royal person and 
their lands ; in consequence of which queen Mary, escorted by a 
large body of her savage subjects, set out for Savannah, to de- 
mand from the president and council, a formal acknowledgment 
of her rights in the province. A messenger was despatched to 
notify to the president, the royal family's approach, and that 
Mary had assumed her right and title of sovereignty over the 
whole territories of the upper and lower Creeks, and to demand 
that all the lands south of Savannah river should be relinquished 
without loss of time: that she was the hereditary and rightful 
queen of both nations, and could command the whole force of 
her tribe, and in case of refusal she had determined to extirpate 
the whole settlement. 

President Stephens and his council, alarmed at her high pre- 
tensions and bold threats, and sensible of her influence with the 
Indians, from her having been made a woman of consequence 
as an interpreter, were not a little embarrassed what steps to 
take for the public safety: they thought it best to use soft and 
healing measures until an opportunity might offer, of privately 
laying hold of her and shipping her off to England. In the 
mean time the militia were ordered to hold themselves in readi- 
ness to march to Savamiah, at the shortest notice. The town 
was put in the best possible state of defence, but its whole force 
amounted to only one hundred and seventy men, able to bear 
arms: a message was sent to Mary, while she was yet several 
miles distant from Savannah at the head of her mighty host, to 
know whether she was serious in such wild j^retensions, and to 
try the influence of persuasion to induce her to dismiss her fol- 
lowers and drop her audacious design ; but finding her inflexible 
and resolute, the president resolved to put on a bold counte- 
nance, and receive the savages with firmness and resolution. 
The militia were ordered under arms to overawe them as much 
as possible, and as the Indians entered the town, captain ^^Toble 
Jones at the head of a troop of horse stopped them, and de- 
manded whether their visit was with hostile or friendly inten- 



152 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17J^7. 

tions ; but receiving no satisfactory answer, be ordered tbem to 
ground tbeir arms, declaring tbat be bad orders not to suffer 
one armed Indian to set foot in tbe town, and tbat be was de- 
termined to enforce tbe orders at tbe risk of bis own life and 
tbat of bis troops. Tbe savages witb great reluctance submitted, 
and accordingly Tbomas Bosomwortb, in bis canonical robes 
witb bis queen by bis side, followed by tbe kings and cbiefs ac- 
cording to rank, marched into tbe town on tbe 20tb of July, 
making a most formidable appearance. — Tbe inhabitants were 
struck witb terror at tbe sigbt of tbis ferocious tribe of savages. 
When they advanced to the parade, they found tbe militia 
drawn up under arms to receive them, by whom they were sa- 
luted witb fifteen cannon, and conducted to tbe president's 
bouse. Bosomwortb being ordered to withdraw, tbe Indian 
chiefs in a friendly manner, were required to declare tbeir in- 
tention in paying tbis visit in so large a body, without being 
sent for by any person in authority : the warriors, as they bad 
been instructed, answered tbat Mary was to speak for them, and 
that they would abide by whatever she said ; tbat they bad heard 
tbat she was to be sent like a captive over tbe great waters, and 
they were come to know on what account they were to lose their 
queen ; that they intended no barm, and begged that their arms 
might be restored to tbem; and after consulting witb Bosom- 
wortb and bis wife, they would return and amicably settle all 
public aifairs. To please them their guns were accordingly re- 
turned, but strict orders were issued to allow them no ammu- 
nition, until the council should see more clearly into tbeir dark 
designs. On tbe day following, the Indians having bad some 
private conferences with Mary, were observed with sullen coun- 
tenances to march in a tumultuous manner through the streets, 
evidencing a hostile temper apparently determined on mischief: 
all the men being obliged to mount guard, the women and chil- 
dren were terrified and afraid to remain in the houses by them- 
selves, expecting every moment to be murdered and scalped. 
During tbis confusion, a false rumor was circulated, that they 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 11^1. 153 

had cut off president Stephens's head with a tomahawk, which 
so exasperated the inhabitants that it was with difficulty the 
officers could restrain the troops from firing upon the savages : 
perhaps the exercise of the greatest prudence was never more 
requisite to save the town from being deluged with blood. Or- 
ders were given to lay hold of Bosomworth, to whom it was in- 
sinuated that he was marked as the first victim of vengeance in 
case of extremities ; and he was carried out of the way and 
closely confined, upon which Mary, his beloved queen, became 
outrageous and frantic, and threatened the thunder of her ven- 
geance against the magistrates and the whole colony: she or- 
dered all white persons to depart immediately from her terri- 
tories, and at their peril to refuse; she cursed Oglethorpe and 
his fraudulent treaties, and furiously stamping her foot upon 
the earth, swore by her Maker, that the whole globe should 
know that the ground she stood upon was her own. To prevent 
any ascendancy by bribes over the chiefs and warriors, she kept 
the leading men constantly under her eye, and would not suffer 
them to utter a sentence on public affairs, but in her presence. 
The president finding that no peaceable agreement could be 
made with the Indians while under the baleful influence of their 
pretended queen, privately laid hold of her, and put her with 
her husband in confinement. This step was found necessary, 
before any reasonable terms of negociation would be heard. 
Having secured the royal family who were unquestionably the 
promoters of the conspiracy, the president employed men ac- 
quainted with the Indian tongue, to entertain the warriors in 
the most friendly and hospitable manner, and directed that ex- 
planations should be made to them, of the wicked designs of 
Bosomworth and his wife. Accordingly a feast was prepared 
for all the chiefs and leading warriors ; at which they were 
informed, that Bosomworth had involved himself in debts 
which he was unable to pay, and that he wanted not only their 
lands, but a large share of the king's presents, which had been 
sent over for the chiefs and warriors ; and his object was to 



154 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, J7-47. 

satisfy his creditors in Carolina at their expense ; that the king's 
presents were only intended for the Indians, as a compensation 
for their useful services and firm attachment to him during 
the war against their common enemy, and that the lands ad- 
joining the town were reserved for them to encamp upon, when 
they should come to visit their beloved friends in Savannah, and 
the three maritime islands to fish and hunt upon, when they 
should come to bathe in the salt waters : that neither Mary nor 
her husband, had any right to those lands, but that they were 
the common property of the whole nation: that the great king 
George, had ordered the president to defend their right to them, 
and expected that all his subjects, both white and red, would 
live together like brethren, and that the great king would suffer 
no one to molest or injure them ; and had ordered these words 
to be left on record, that they might not be forgotten by their 
descendants, when they were dead and gone. 

This policy produced a temporary effect, and many of the 
chiefs being convinced that Bosomworth had deceived them, de- 
clared they would no longer be governed by his advice ; even 
Malatche, the leader of the lower Creeks, and the pretended re- 
lation of Mary, seemed satisfied, and was not a little pleased to 
hear that the king had sent them some valuable presents. Being 
asked why he acknoAvledged Mary as the empress of the great 
nation of Creeks, and resig-ned his power and possessions to a 
despicable old woman, while he was universally recognized as 
the great chief of the nation, and that too at the very time when 
the president and council were to give him many rich clothes 
and medals, for his services; he replied, that the whole nation 
acknowledged her as their queen, and none could distribute the 
royal presents but herself, or one of her family, as had been done 
heretofore. The president by this answer, perceived more 
clearly the design of Bosomworth's family ; and to lessen their 
influence and consequence, and show the Indians that he had 
power to divide the royal bounty among the chiefs, determined 
to take the task upon himself, and immediately dismiss them, 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, llJ^l. 155 

on account of the growing expenses of the colony, and the hard- 
ships the inhabitants underwent in keeping guard night and 
day for the defence of the town. 

In the mean time Malatche, whom the Indians compared to 
the wind, because of his fickle and variable temper, having at 
his ov^m request, obtained access to Bosomworth and his wife, 
was again seduced and drawn over to support their chimerical 
claims. While the Indians were gathered together to receive 
their respective shares of the royal bounty, he stood up in the 
midst of them with a frowning countenance, and in violent agi- 
tation delivered a speech fraught with the most dangerous in- 
sinuations and threats ; he declared that Mary possessed that 
country before general Oglethorpe; that all the lands belonged 
to her as queen and head of the Creeks ; that it was by her con- 
sent Englishmen were at first permitted to settle on them ; that 
they still held the land as her tenants at will ; that her words 
were the voice of the whole nation, consisting of three thousand 
warriors, and at her command every man would raise the hatchet 
in defence of her rightful claim: then pulling a paper out of 
his pocket, he delivered it to the president in confirmation of 
what he had said. This was evidently the production of Bos- 
omworth, and served to discover in the plainest manner, his 
ambitious views and wicked intrigues: the preamble was filled 
with the names of Indians, called kings of all the towns in the 
upper and lower Creeks, none of whom however, were present 
except two : the substance of the paper corresponded with Malat- 
che's speech ; styling Mary the rightful princess of the whole 
nation, descended in a maternal line from the emperor, and 
invested with full power and authority from them, to settle and 
finally determine all public affairs and causes relative to land 
and other things, with king George and his beloved men on both 
sides of the sea ; and that whatever should be done by her, they 
would abide by as if done by themselves. Bosomworth prob- 
ably did not intend that this paper should have been shown, nor 
was Malatche aware of the consequences of putting it in the 
hands of the president. 



156 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17J^7. 

After reading this paper in council, the members were struck 
with astonishment; and Malatche, perceiving their uneasiness, 
begged to have it again, declaring he did not know it was a bad 
talk, promising he would immediately return it to the person 
from whom he had received it. To remove all impressions 
made on the minds of the Indians by Malatche's speech, and 
convince them of the deceitful and dangerous tendency of this 
confederacy, into which Bosomworth and his wife had betrayed 
them, had now become a matter of the highest consequence: 
happy was it for the province, that this, though dijfficult, was 
practicable ; as ignorant savages were easily misled on the one 
side, it was practicable to convince them of their error on the 
other ; accordingly, having gathered the Indians together, the 
president determining to adopt a bold and decided tone, ad- 
dressed them with the following speech: — 

''Friends and brothers: When Mr. Oglethorpe and his peo- 
ple first arrived in Georgia, they found Mary, then the wife 
of John Musgrove, living in a small hut at Yamacraw; he had 
a license from the governor of South-Carolina to trade with 
the Indians ; she then appeared to be in a poor ragged condi- 
tion, and was neglected and despised by the Creeks ; but Gen- 
eral Oglethorpe finding that she could speak both the English 
and Creek languages, employed her as an interpreter, richly 
clothed her, and made her a woman of the consequence she now 
appears ; the people of Georgia always respected her, until she 
married Bosomworth, but from that time she has proved a liar 
and a deceiver. In fact, she was no relation of Malatche, but 
the daughter of an Indian woman of no note, by a white man: 
General Oglethorpe did not treat with her for the lands of 
Georgia, for she had none; but with the old and wise leaders 
of the Creek nation, who voluntarily surrendered their terri- 
tories to the king; the Indians at that time having much waste 
land, which was useless to themselves, parted with a share of 
it to their friends, and were glad that white people had settled 
among them to supply their wants. He told them that the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, llJtl. 157 

present discontents of the Creeks, had been artfully infused 
into them by Mary, at the instigation of her husband ; that he 
demanded a third part of the royal bounty, in order to rob the 
naked Indians of their right ; that he had quarrelled with the 
president and council of Georgia, for refusing to answer his 
exorbitant demands, and therefore had filled the heads of the 
Indians with wild fancies and groundless jealousies, in order 
to ferment mischief, and induce them to break their alliance 
with their best friends, who alone were able to supply their 
wants, and defend them against their enemies." Here the In- 
dians desired him to stop, and put an end to the contest declar- 
ing that their eyes were now opened, and they saw through the 
insidious design of Bosomworth ; but though he desired to break 
the chain of friendship, they were determined to hold it fast 
and disappoint him, and begged therefore that all might smoke 
the pipe of peace ; accordingly pipes and rum were brought, and 
they joined hand in hand, drank and smoked together in friend- 
ship, every one wishing that their hearts might be united in 
like manner as their hands. The royal presents, except am- 
munition, with which it was judged imprudent to trust them, 
until they were at some distance from town, were brought and 
distributed amongst them; the most disaffected and influential 
were purchased with the largest presents ; even Malatche him- 
self seemed fully satisfied with his share ; and the savages in 
general perceiving the poverty and insignificancy of Bosom- 
worth and his wife^ and their total inability to supply their 
wants, apparently determined to break off all connection with 
them. 

While the president and council flattered themselves with 
the idea of an amicable compromise of all the existing difiicul- 
ties, and were rejoicing in the re-establishment of friendly in- 
tercourse with the Creeks ; Mary, drunk with liquor, and dis- 
appointed in her royal views, rushed in amongst them like a 
fury, told the president that these were her people, that he had 
no business with them, and that he soon should be convinced 



158 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, nui- 

of it to his cost. The president calmly advised her to retire 
to her lodgings and forbear to poison the minds of the Indians, 
otherwise he would order her again into close confinement : upon 
which turning about to Malatche in great rage, she repeated, 
with some ill-natured comments, what the president had said ; 
Malatche started from his seat, laid hold of his arms, calling 
upon the rest to follow his example, dared any man to touch 
the queen. The whole house was filled in a moment with tu- 
mult and uproar; every Indian having his tomahawk in his 
hand, the president and council expected nothing but instant 
death. During this confusion captain Jones, who commanded 
the guard, very seasonably interposed, and ordered the Indians 
immediately to surrender their arms : such courage was not the 
only requisite to overawe them, but at the same time great pru- 
dence was necessary, to avoid coming to extremities: with re- 
luctance the Indians submitted, and Mary was conveyed to a 
private room, where a guard was placed over her, and all fur- 
ther communication with the Indians denied her, during their 
stay in Savannah. Her husband was sent for in order to reason 
with him, and convince him of the folly of his chimerical pre- 
tensions, and of the dangerous consequences which might result 
from his persisting in them : but no sooner did he appear before 
the president and council, than he became outrageously abusive, 
and in defiance of every argument which was used to persuade 
him to submission, he remained contumacious, and protested 
he would stand forth in vindication of his wife's right to the 
last extremity, and that the province of Georgia, should soon 
feel the weight of her power and vengeance. Such conduct, 
justly merited a course which it would have been impolitic in 
the council to pursue ; but finding that fair means were fruit- 
less and inefi^ectual they determined to remove him out of the 
way of the Indians until they were gone, and then humble him 
by force. After having secured the two leaders, it only re- 
mained to persuade the Indians peaceably to leave the town and 
return to their settlements: captain Ellick, a young warrior. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17Jf7. 159 

who had distinguished himself in discovering to his tribe the 
base intrigues of Bosomworth, being afraid to accompany Ma- 
latche and his followers, consulted his safety by setting out 
amongst the first ; the rest followed him in different parties, and 
the inhabitants, tired out with constant duty, and harassed with 
frequent alarms, were at length happily relieved. 

By this time Adam Bosomworth, brother of Thomas, who 
was agent for Indian affairs in Carolina, had arrived from that 
province, and being made acquainted with the extraordinary 
circumstances which had passed, was filled with shame and in- 
dignation : he found his ambitious brother not content with the 
common allowance of land granted by the crown, aspiring after 
sovereignty, and attempting to obtain by force, and at the ruin 
of the colony, one of the largest landed estates in the world. His 
plot was artfully contrived, and had it been executed with equal 
courage, fatal must the consequences have been ; for had he 
taken possession of the magazine by surprise, on his first ar- 
rival in Savannah, and supplied the Indians with ammunition, 
the militia must soon have been overpowered, and every family 
would have fallen a sacrifice, to the indiscriminate vengeance 
of the savages : by the interposition of his brother, all differ- 
ences were compromised. Thomas Bosomworth at length hav- 
ing returned to rational reflection, apparently repented of his 
folly, and solicited the pardon of the council and the people: 
he addressed a letter to the president acquainting him that he 
was deeply sensible of his duty as a subject, and of the respect 
he owed to the civil authority, and could no longer justify the 
conduct of his wife, but hoped that her present remorse and 
past services to the province, would entirely blot out the remem- 
brance of her unguarded expressions and rash design: he ap- 
pealed to the letters of general Oglethorpe, for her former irre- 
proachable conduct and steady friendship to the settlement, and 
hoped her good behaviour for the future, would reinstate her 
in the public favor, and atone for her past offences; for his own 
part, he acknowledged her title to be groundless, and promised 



160 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1751. 

to relinquish all claim to the lands of the province. The col- 
onists forgave him and promised to forget what had passed; 
public tranquillity was re-established, queen Mary's idle claims 
were temporarily relinquished, and the royal family left the 
city about the first of August. 

In the course of this year seven or eight vessels laden with 
Georgia produce, sailed from Savannah; among this number 
was a ship of four hundred tons burthen, freighted by Harris 
and Habersham. 

Colonel William Stephens, who had long been a public serv- 
ant, and for many years president of the council, resigned his 
appointment on the 21st of July, and retired to his farm in the 
country: he represented to the trustees, that the infirmities of 
age, had produced an imbecility of mind, which had rendered 
him incapable of doing justice to the arduous fimctions of his 
office. Henry Parker vice-president, succeeded him, and was 
accordingly commissioned on the 8th of April, 1751. James 
Habersham was appointed secretary of the province, and J^oble 
Jones a member of the council: these appointments were ac- 
companied with the pleasing intelligence of a full and ample 
release from all the restrictions respecting the titles of land, 
which it was hoped would not fail to produce industry among 
the people: a colonial assembly was authorised consisting of 
sixteen members, proportioned to the population of the different 
parishes or districts : writs of election were issued, and the mem- 
bers were required to convene at Savannah, on the 15th of Janu- 
ary, 1751 ( ?) The assembly met on the day appointed, which was 
signified to the vice-president and council ; they were invited 
to an audience at the council chamber, when the objects of their 
meeting were suggested to them, observing the valuable purposes 
they might effect, if they should act with magnanimity and pru- 
dence. Francis Harris was chosen speaker, and the vice-presi- 
dent was requested to form a special court the next day, for 
the purpose of having the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and 
abjuration administered to the members: j^oble Jones and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1751. 161 

Pickering Robinson, were appointed a committee by the coun- 
cil, and directed to make a general enquiry into, and report the 
state of the colony to the assembly. The court met and admin- 
istered the necessary oaths to this committee, and the members 
of the assembly : the next day the speaker presented an address 
to the vice president and council. 

"Assembly Room, 25th January 1751. 

Sir — We the deputies of the several districts in general as- 
sembly met, desire to return you our sincere thanks for your 
speech to us, and we assure you we shall endeavor with all con- 
cord and unanimity to go through the business appointed for us 
to do ; and we also beg leave to embrace this opportunity of 
heartily congratulating you on your being appointed vice-presi- 
dent of the province, which we look upon as no more than a 
just reward for your long and faithful services in it ; and we 
have no doubt but the same steadiness, justice, and candor, which 
have formerly guided you in the execution of other offices, will 

direct and govern you in this. 

Francis Harris, Speaker.. 

Henry Parker, Esquire, Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Colony of Georgia." 

The Vice-President returned the following answer: 

"Mr. Speaker, 

arid Gentlemen of the Assembly, 
I heartily thank you for your kind and flattering address, and 
will always make it my study and endeavor to promote any thing 
which may tend to the service and advantage of the colony. 

Henry Parker, Vice-President 
of the Colony of Georgia." 

The following gentlemen constituted the first general assembly 

in Georgia. 
Savannah District — Francis Harris, Speaker; John Mil- 
ledge, William Francis, William Russel. 
11 



162 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1751. 

Augusta District — George Catogan, David Douglass. 
Ebenezer District — Christian Reidlesperger, Theobald Keif- 
fer. 

Abercorn & Goshen Districts — William Ewen. 
Josephs Town District — Charles Watson. 
Vernonbourgh District — 'Patrick Houstoun. 
Acton District — Peter Morell. 
Little Ogeeche District — Joseph Summers. 
Skidaway District — John Barnard. 
Midway District — Audley Maxwell. 
Darien District — John Mackintosh, B. 

The assembly laid before the president and assistants, the 
following articles which they thought might be redressed by 
them, to which the answers of the vice-president and council 
are annexed. 

1st. — The want of a proper pilot-boat. 

Answ. — Shall be represented to the trustees. 

2nd. — The want of leave to erect a building under the Bluff, 
for the convenience of boats' crews, negroes, &c. The building 
to be erected by subscription. 

Answ. — A place will be laid out. 

3rd. — The want of standard weights, scales, and measures. 

Answ. — Applied for by the board to the trustees, and may 
be expected. 

4th. — Want of a survey of the river. 

Answ. — To be done as soon as a proper person can be found. 

5th. — The want of an order to prevent masters of vessels from 
heaving ballast, &c. into the river. 

Answ. — An order to be published. 

6th. — The want of a commissioner for regulating pilots and 
pilotage. 

Answ. — A person to be appointed. 

7th. — The want of an inspector and sworn packer, to inspect 
the produce of the colony. 

Answ. — To be appointed. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1151. 163 

8tli. — ^Want of a clerk of the market. 

Answ. — To be appointed. 

9th. — The want of regulations for the guard. 

Answ. — To be remedied. 

10th. — The want of proper officers to command the militia. 

Answ. — To be appointed. 

11th. — The repairs of the court-house. 

Answ. — To be immediately done. 

The business of the assembly being finished, the house ad- 
journed after a session of twenty-two days. It appears that 
their powers amounted to little more than those of a grand jury, 
in making a presentment of grievances to be redressed. 

The next day after the assembly had adjourned, Thomas 
Bosomworth and his wife Mary, arrived from St. Catharine's, 
and addressed a long letter to the vice-president, renewing the 
subject of her claim, complaining of the injustice done to her 
reputation, and endeavoring to justify her late conduct in 
claiming the country: she expressed a determination, in case 
she could not obtain from the president and council, what she 
deemed her just rights, to go over to England, and lay a state- 
ment of her claim before the king ; and demanded of the presi- 
dent a sum of money to bear her expenses: that if she was cul- 
pable, she wished to meet the punishment that her conduct 
merited; and if innocent, to be reinstated in his majesty's favor. 
The council deemed it the best policy to take no notice of her 
representation, by which means the chiefs of the Creek nation 
would be duly impressed with her insignificance, consequently 
feel less interested in her concerns and fate. Bosomworth find- 
ing that no notice would be taken of his remonstrance by the 
vice-president and council, sold his wife's claim to the lands 
and improvements, lying between Savannah and Pipe-maker's- 
creek, and her house and lot in town, to raise funds to meet their 
expenses, in going to England. On his way to Charleston, 
where he intended to embark, he had his conveyance from the 
Indians proved before John Mulrine, a justice of the peace, in 



164 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1751. 

Grenville county, South Carolina, and recorded by William 
Pinkney, secretary of state. Prepared to establish his claim, 
he embarked for England: apprehensive that some serious con- 
sequences might yet grow out of this affair, Patrick Graham, 
esquire, agent of Indian affairs for the trustees, was directed 
to make particular inquiry of the kings and chiefs of the Creek 
nation, whether those islands had been, by their knowledge or 
consent, sold and conveyed to Thomas Bosomworth and Mary 
his wife; and if not, to purchase them for and on account of 
the trustees. Graham made particular inquiries, and satisfied 
himself that the Indians were entirely ignorant of the trans- 
action, and made the purchase as he had been instructed. Adam 
Bosomworth, the brother of Thomas, went into the nation soon 
after, and prevailed on the Indians to sign another conveyance 
to his brother, which was also proved, and sent over to England. 
The opinion of the best counsel in England was taken upon the 
case, and the subject was litigated in the courts of Great-Britain 
twelve years. An Indian treaty was held at Augusta, in De- 
cember, 1755, the principal object of which was, the investiga- 
tion of this subject. In the year 1759, a decision was made at 
the court of St. James' granting to Bosomworth and his wife, 
the island of St. Catharine's, and instructions were given to 
sell the other two islands, and the tract of country adjoining 
Savannah, at auction, and out of the proceeds of sale to extin- 
guish all the claims of Bosomworth and his wife; first obtain- 
ing a general release and acquittance, renouncing all further 
claim, pretention, or demand whatsoever, and to report pro- 
cedure, and hold the surplus subject to the order of the crown. 
In conformity with these instructions, the lands were adver- 
tised for sale on the premises, on the 10th of December, 1759: 
Isaac Levy, entered a protest against the sale, alledging that he 
had purchased a moiety of the lands in question, from Bosom- 
worth and his wife, and that he had petitioned the king for jus- 
tice: the sale was suspended, and a new suit instituted in Eng- 
land, by Levy, who died not long after, and I believe the case 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1751. 165 

has never been legally decided, Bosomworth took possession 
of, and resided on St. Catherine's island, where Mary died 
some time after, and he married his chambermaid. Finally, 
the remains of this trio, were deposited in the same grave-yard 
on this island, for which they had so long contended. 

JSToble Jones, James Habersham, and Pickering Robinson, 
were appointed to examine into and report the state of the colony 
to the trustees : they were also to renew their efforts, to promote 
the culture of silk. The trustees were still impressed with a 
belief, that this article would be exceedingly profitable, and with 
proper encouragement, might yet be made very beneficial both to 
the colony, and mother country: the great demand for it in 
Great Britain, made it an object of the highest importance. The 
mulberry-tree grew without any other trouble than merely 
transplanting, and thrived as well as other natural productions : 
about the beginning of March, the silk worms are hatched from 
the eggs, nature having provided that they should come into 
life, at the time mulberry leaves, on which they subsist, begin 
to open. The feeding and cleaning them, rather requires skill 
than strength, and young persons were to be employed in gath- 
ering leaves: one man skilled in the art could attend a large 
house full of worms, and in six weeks the whole process is com- 
pleated. An article which was considered so jDrofitable, and so 
easily raised, engrossed almost the entire attention of the trus- 
tees, and induced them to offer premiums, by way of encourage- 
ment, until the colonists should see their interest in it : two shil- 
lings per pound were allowed for the first quality of cocoons, one 
shilling for the second, and eight-pence for the third. A few per- 
sons, well acquainted with the whole process, were brought from 
Europe, to instruct the colonists in the management of the 
worms, and winding of the silk. The filature was furnished 
with basins, reels, and other machinery, for preparing and wind- 
ing, and some fine specimens were sent over to England, which 
were examined by proper judges, and said to be equal to any 
that had ever been made in Europe. It had escaped the obser- 



166 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1751, 

vation of the trustees however, that agriculture and commerce, 
which go hand in hand in the prosperity of a new country, 
should always precede manufactures. Eighteen years had now 
passed off, and the colony had not in any one year furnished a 
sufficient supply of subsistence for its own consumption, and 
commerce had barely appeared in the bud : numbers had left 
the country in disgust, and located themselves in Carolina : the 
white servants fled from their masters, and took shelter in that 
colony, where they were aided in secreting and concealing them- 
selves ; so that in fact, the country was dwindling into insignifi- 
cance : the farms which had been cultivated were going to ruin, 
and in every respect, the country was rapidly degeneratiDg. 
While in this feeble condition, their western neighbors, the 
Cherokees, shewed an unfriendly disposition towards them, and 
in the spring of this year, several outrages had been committed 
upon Indian traders. During the preceding winter, a number 
of quaker families had formed a settlement west of Augusta, 
on a body of land, which had formerly been owned by a tribe 
of Indians called the Savannahs, who had been compelled to 
abandon their towns and settlements, in consequence of a war 
between them and the lichee tribe, who claimed the land adjoin- 
ing them to the southward. When these families first arrived 
in the country, they had formed a kind of encampment, at a 
place afterwards called the Quaker-springs, seven miles from 
Augusta, and were impressed with a belief, from their own 
pacific temper, that they would have no difficulty in living on 
terms of friendship with the neighboring Indians : they had 
cleared some land, and made some progress in agriculture, be- 
fore the Indians became hostile, but on the first appearance of 
the hatchet and scalping knife, they were alarmed, and at the 
sound of the war-whoop, fled and abandoned the country. The 
fortifications at Augusta had tumbled into ruins, and the people 
were greatly and very justly alarmed, at the hostile appearances 
which the state of affairs presented: every man was engaged 
at this important season of the year in making preparations for 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1751. 167 

the support of his family, and while thus necessarily employed, 
they were kept in a constant state of alarm. 

About the middle of May, an express brought intelligence 
from Patrick Graham, of Augusta, stating that James Max- 
well, with a number of traders had just arrived from the Chero- 
kee nation, from whence they had fled with the greatest precipi- 
tation, to save their lives ; that two traders had been murdered, 
and that they had been robbed of all their goods : that the inhabi- 
tants had fled from their plantations, and taken refuge in a 
church for mutual defence : that the number of women and chil- 
dren, crowded in such close quarters without subsistence, pre- 
sented a most distressing scene. Detachments of mounted 
militia had been sent in different directions, but no traces of the 
enemy, had yet been discovered near Augusta. Another letter 
was received from James Fraser, which enclosed the copy of 
Maxwell's afiidavit, of the facts relating to the hostile temper 
of the Indians : on a particular examination of this paper, some 
of the council were doubtful whether a trick had not been prac- 
tised by some of the traders, to bring on a war with the Indians, 
by which means they would be screened from the payment of 
their debts ; or that the whole story was untrue, and had been 
fabricated to answer their pecuniary purposes, as they were 
generally men of bad character, and had involved themselves in 
debts which they were unable to pay : that those idle abandoned 
spendthrifts, who had lost their credit, and had nothing more 
to lose, would perhaps, be most secure in the midst of confusion 
and war : but in either event, it was considered prudent, to put 
the country in a state of defence. Accordingly the magazine 
was examined, officers were appointed, and ordered to muster 
and discipline the militia: a troop of horse was ordered to be 
raised, composed of such inhabitants as were possessed of three 
hundred acres of land. ISToble Jones was appointed colonel, and 
his son, Noble W. Jones, who had been a cadet in Oglethorpe's 
regiment, was appointed to command the dragoons. Bourquin 
and Francis, were appointed captains of the infantry, and an 



168 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1151. 

express was sent to captain Mackintosh, at Darien, and to the 
officers at St, Simon's and Cumberland, warning them of the 
danger which threatened the province. The governor of South 
Carolina had also put the frontiers of that province in a state 
of defence: detachments of twenty-five men, were ordered to 
strengthen the posts on the frontier, and ammunition was sent 
to fort Moore, nearly opposite to Augusta, and to other garri- 
sons where it was required. It appeared, eventually, that some 
of the young warriors of the Cherokee nation, had behaved in- 
sultingly to some of the traders, because they were not suffi- 
ciently supplied with ammunition ; but the chiefs of the nation 
disapproved of the conduct of these young men, and were dis- 
posed to cultivate a peaceable and friendly intercourse : however, 
on the traders returning to the nation, with only small supplies 
of ammunition, they were all immediately seized by the Chero- 
kees, who demanded the reasons why they had not been supplied 
with the quantity which they required ; observing that their na- 
tion had been threatened with hostility by the ISTotteweges tribe, 
who were supported by the French, and that the destruction of 
their people would be the consequence of the traders with-holding 
articles so absolutely necessary for their defence. The traders 
proposed if liberated to go immediately to Augusta and bring 
them a plentiful supply ; the Indians consented that two only 
should be released on condition that they would return in thirty 
days, but that the others should be detained as hostages for a ful- 
filment of this stipulation, and that their lives should pay the 
forfeit. The traders finding no better conditions could be ob- 
tained, were compelled to accede to them, and James Beamor 
and Richard Smith set out for Augusta. On their arrival they 
made oath to the facts before stated, and their joint-affidavit was 
sent by an express to the governor of Carolina, whose particular 
business and interest it was to notice and take care of the Chero- 
kee Indian trade, as the people concerned in it were inhabitants, 
and under the particular government of that province. Sus- 
picions were still entertained that the Cherokees had been 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1751. 169 

bought over by the French, and that their real design was 
against Georgia and Carolina. 

A circumstance occurred soon after which gave additional 
weight to these conjectures. Two Euchee Indians came to Sa- 
vannah and informed president Parker, that some time before, 
a party of Cherokees and Notteweges, surprised their camp 
when the men were hunting, and carried oif their women and 
children ; that on their return to the camp they pursued their 
enemies, overtook them on the third day, killed and wounded 
several, scalped four, and retook their women and children. 
They requested a supply of ammunition which was given to 
them: they offered to show the president the scalps as trophies 
of their victory, but he declined seeing them, as he wished as 
much as possible to discountenance barbarity, and avoid every 
appearance of taking any share or interest in a quarrel between 
two tribes, who were considered equally in amity with the 
provinces. The next day he was informed that a body of In- 
dians consisting of Cherokees and Xotteweges, about seventy 
in number, had lately spoken to a white man, forty miles below 
Augusta, and enquired particularly after the Euchees, threat- 
ening vengeance for their murdered friends. The president 
advised this party to notify to their tribe the danger with which 
they were threatened, and if they wanted assistance, to apply 
to the lower Creeks, who would furnish them with a sufficient 
number of warriors, to defend them against their enemies. 
About sun-set the same evening, the report of forty or fifty 
guns was heard a few miles above Savannah: a party of dis- 
covery was despatched under the command of captain ]*T. W. 
Jones, who returned about two in the morning, and reported 
that he had found a number of Euchees dancing round a fire, 
at Mrs. Bosomworth's Cow-pen plantation, performing the 
funeral ceremonies at the burial of one of their chiefs, in con- 
formity with the custom of their country. 

Apprehensive of danger, the utmost vigilance was observed 
in all parts of the province: every thing that gave intimations 
of alarm, was magnified in a few hours into the horrors of war. 



170 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1751. 

In the midst of these apprehensions, between twelve and one 
o'clock at night the report of several guns was heard at Yama- 
craw-bluff, on the edge of the town. The militia were at their 
posts immediately and prepared for action. The visiting 
rounds of the guard reported that three men, a woman and a 
boy, of the Euchee tribe, were encamped on the bluff. Colonel 
Jones, Mr. Habersham, and a party of discovery went to the 
place and found a Creek Indian named Ben, shot through the 
body and stabbed in the breast with a knife ; they met the other 
men near the camp, who reported that a party of the Cherokee 
and Nottewege Indians, had attacked them when asleep ; that 
they had jumped to their guns, and had fired on them, and that 
they believed only Ben was wounded : he was carried to town 
and died about day-light. The camp was examined in the morn- 
ing, and one of the attacking party was traced some distance 
by the blood which had issued from his wound. Captain Harris 
with a party of men and two Indians, went in search of him, 
and in a few hours found him in a thick swamp, and though 
badly wounded, he made an effort to stab Kenith Bailie with a 
long French knife: the two Creeks were very anxious to kill 
and scalp the wounded prisoner, but the president informed 
them that it was the peremptory order of his king, never to kill 
a prisoner, and that the principles of the christian religion en- 
joined this rule, upon all white people who were believers: the 
Indians were not satisfied, but the president persisted in his 
determination. The Indian was attended by a physician and 
soon recovered: he said that the Cherokees, to which nation he 
belonged, were not disposed to go to war with the white people, 
and that their only intention was to take revenge of the Euchees 
for the blood of their brethren. Isaac Young reported to the 
president that an Indian woman, entirely naked, went to his 
j)lantation, near the place where the wounded Indian was found, 
and begged a negro woman for a piece of cloth to cover her; 
when the negro informed him of the circumstance, he pursued 
and overtook the woman, and upon his inquiring her business 
there, she said she was a Chickasaw and had been taken prisoner 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1752. 171 

by the Cherokees, from whom she had escaped the night before : 
ehe enquired whether the Euchees had got the wounded Chero- 
kee and whether he was living, and expressed great pleasure and 
gratification when she heard that the wound was not mortal, 
and that he was under the care of the white people: she said 
there were four Cherokees and six Notteweges in the party. 
Young told her that she must go with him to town, to which she 
pretended to consent, but said she had a child in the swamp 
which she desired his permission to bring out, and then she 
would go with him : he accompanied her to the swamp, but she 
'gave him the slip and escaped. Colonel Jones and captain Har- 
ris were sent with a party of men in pursuit of the Cherokee and 
T^ottewege party, and desired to have a friendly conference 
with them ; but they did not overtake them. 

The trustees finding that the province did not flourish under 
their patronage, and tired out with the complaints against the 
system of government which they had established, with the in- 
tention of making the idle and dissipated, industrious and sober ; 
and persecuted with the murmurs of the people, for whose bene- 
fit they had devoted so much time, and spent so much money ; 
on the 20th of June, 1752, resigned their charter, and the prov- 
ince was formed into a royal government. 

In the course of this year, a considerable emigration of in- 
habitants arrived from Dorchester, in South-Carolina, who set- 
tled at Medway : they applied to and obtained from government, 
a grant for thirty-one thousand nine hundred and fifty acres of 
land, lying south of Ogeeche river. These people were charac- 
terised by the same independent principles, and the same regard 
to the institutions of religion, which have distinguished the in- 
habitants of New England, from whom they were descendants. 
The reverend Joseph Lord, the minister who accompanied the 
original emigrants from ISTew England to Carolina, was suc- 
ceeded by the reverend Hugh Fisher, who died in 1734. Mr. 
Fisher was succeeded by the reverend John Osgood, who after 
a pious life and useful ministry, died in 1773 : he was minister 
of that congregation near forty years ; and was the father and 



172 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 115k-55. 

friend, as well as the shepherd of his flock. On the 2nd of Feb- 
ruary 1696, the Lord's-supper had, for the first time, been ad- 
ministered in the colony of South-Carolina, to this congrega- 
tion, by Mr. Lord. 

The colony of Georgia remained in an unprotected condition, 
for a considerable time after the trustees resigned their charter, 
hoping and despairing alternately as to the form of government 
under which they were to be placed : the king finally determined 
on a plan, and on the 1st of October, 1754, appointed John Rey- 
nolds, then an officer in the navy, governor of Georgia ; and 
legislative powers similar to those of the other royal governments 
in America, were authorised. 

Though the people were now favored with the same liberties 
and mode of government enjoyed by their neighbors under the 
royal care, yet several years elapsed before the value of land was 
known, or that spirit of industry prevailed, which afterwards 
diffused its happy influence over the country. The impolitic 
result of treaties of alliance offensive and defensive with In- 
dian tribes, now began to be unfolded : the flames of war which 
had blazed forth between the Cherokees and Creeks, was likely 
to involve the remnant of Georgia in the common calamity: 
each of those nations claimed the assistance of the province, as 
allies under the articles of treaty, in arms and ammunition ; and 
the Creeks urged their claim for the assistance of men. The 
president and council, previous to the arrival of governor Rey- 
nolds, were obliged to plead poverty, alledging to the ambassa- 
dors of both nations, the apprehensions they were under of a 
degree of hostility, against which they were unable to defend 
themselves. The Chickesaw tribe had passed through the Creek 
nation, and murdered some of the Cherokees ; the latter in re- 
turn pursued their enemies, and mistaking them for the Creek 
tribe, revenged the blood of their brethren upon the innocent. 
Malatche pursued a party of Cherokees, and murdered several 
of them near the gates of Charleston; and five Indian traders 
had also been murdered and robbed by the different tribes. Gov- 
ernor Glen of Carolina, sent a special message to Malatche, and 



HISTORY OF OEOROIA, 1755. 173 

requested a conference with him in Charleston ; he returned for 
answer that he was willing to meet him, but as the path had 
not been open or safe for some time, he could not enter the set- 
tlement with his chiefs, without a military escort: upon which 
the governor sent fifty horsemen, who met him at the confines 
of his territories, and conveyed Malatche and one hundred of 
his head-men to Charleston : a new treaty was framed, accom- 
panied by the usual preliminaries of presents, and the Indians 
returned home well satisfied. 

But few important transactions appear to have been re- 
corded under the government of Mr. Reynolds : the laws which 
prevailed in the other colonies, governed here. In 1755, the 
king granted letters patent for establishing courts of record by 
the name of the General Courts of the Province of Georgia: 
N^oble Jones and elonathan Bryan, esquires, were appointed jus- 
tices during the king's pleasure. These courts were competent 
to the trial of all treasons, felonies, and other criminal offences, 
committed within the province ; they were to be held at Savan- 
nah, on the second Thursdays in January, April, July and Oc- 
tober, every year : the letters also granted to the justices of this 
general court, full power to hold any pleas, in any manner of 
causes, suits and actions, as well criminal as civil, real, personal, 
and mixed where the sum demanded should exceed forty shil- 
lings sterling, excepting only where the title of any freehold 
should come in question ; and authorised them to bring causes 
to a final determination and execution, as fully and amply as 
might be done by the courts of king's-bench, common pleas, and 
exchequer in England. 

The following table will give some idea of the progress of the 
colony for a few succeeding years. 

Exports in 1750 $ 8,897 76 

ditto 1751 16,816 40 

ditto 1752 21,494 04 

ditto 1753 28,429 32 

ditto 1754 42,211 08 

ditto 1756 74,485 44 



174 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1757. 

The exports in silk from 1750 to 1754 inclusively, amounted 
to eight thousand eight hundred and eighty dollars. In the 
year 1757, one thousand and fifty pounds of raw silk, were re- 
ceived at the filature in Savannah. In 1758, the silk-house 
was consumed by fire, with a quantity of silk and seven thou- 
sand and forty pounds of cocoons or silk balls. In 1759, the 
colony exported upwards of ten thousand weight of raw silk, 
which sold two or three shillings per pound higher in London, 
than that of any other country. The cultivation of rice had 
begun to produce disease, and the high pine-barren was re- 
sorted to for the restoration and preservation of health: some 
of the people in the country imagined that the residence near 
the causeways, in consequence of vegetable putrefaction, occa- 
sioned bilious fevers and other diseases. Since Mr. Boltzius 
had become a rice planter, he had buried four children out of 
five, in seven years, but the health of the negroes had not been 
much impaired by this species of cultivation. 

On the 16th of February, 1757, Henry Ellis, a fellow of the 
royal society, was appointed to succeed Reynolds in the govern- 
ment. The rich swamps on the sides of the rivers lay unculti- 
vated, and the planters had not yet found their way into the 
interior of the country, where the lands not only exceeded those 
in the maritime parts in fertility for every thing else but rice, 
but where the climate was more healthy and pleasant. But 
few of the Georgians had any negroes to assist them in the cul- 
tivation of the rice swamps, so that in 1756, the whole exports 
of the country were only two thousand nine hundred and 
ninety-six barrels of rice, nine thousand three hundred and 
ninety-five pounds of indigo, and two hundred and sixty-eight 
pounds of raw silk, which together with skins, furs, lumber and 
provisions, amounted only to sixteen thousand seven hundred 
and seventy-six pounds sterling. Georgia continued to be an 
asylum for insolvent and embarrassed debtors for Carolina and 
the other colonies, which, added to the indolence that had pre- 
viously prevailed, kept the colony sunk in insignificance and 
contempt. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1757. 175 

The extreme heat of the summer in Savannah, as represented 
by governor Ellis, in a letter which was published, perhaps 
tended to deter many Europeans from settling so far south in 
North America. He says, that on the 7th of July, while writ- 
ing in his piazza which was open at both ends, the mercury in 
Fahrenheit's thermometer stood at 102° in the shade: 
twice had it risen to that height during the summer, several 
times to 100°, and for many days together to 98°, 
and in the night did not sink below 89° : he thought it 
highly probable that the inhabitants of Savannah breathed 
a hotter air than any other people upon earth. The town being 
situated on a sandy eminence, the reflection from the dry sand, 
when there was little or no agitation in the air, greatly increased 
the heat : by walking an hundred yards from his house upon the 
sand, under his umbrella, with the thermometer suspended by 
a thread as high as his face, the mercury rose to 105°. 
The same thermometer he had with him in the equatorial parts 
of Africa and the West India islands, yet by his journals he 
found it had never risen so high in those places, and that its 
general station had been between 79° and 86° : he 
acknowledges, however, that he felt those degrees of heat in 
a moist air, more oppressive than at Savannah, when the ther- 
mometer stood at 81° in his cellar, at 102° in the 
story above it, and in the upper story of his house at 105°. 
On the 10th of December, the mercury was up at 86°, 
and on the eleventh down as low as 38°, on the 
same instrument. Such sudden and extreme changes, especially 
when they happen frequently, must violently rack the human 
constitution, ; yet he asserts that few people died at Savannah 
out of the ordinary course, though many were working in the 
open air, exposed to the sun during this extreme heat. As gov- 
ernor Ellis was a man of sense and erudition, and no doubt 
made his observations with accuracy, I shall not presume to 
call in question the facts which he relates, but I feel bound to 
assert, under the authority of the oldest inhabitants now living 



& 



17G HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1757-58. 

in Savannah, that there have been but few instances in which 
the mercury has risen above 96°, and none in which it 
has risen above 100° in the shade, within the last thirty 
years. The trade winds prevail on the sea coast of Georgia, 
with great uniformity in the summer, particularly on the south- 
ern part of it ; and it is not unworthy of remark, that I resided 
at Point Peter near the mouth of St. Mary's river, eighteen 
months, and the garrison consisted of near one hundred troops, 
and that I do not recollect after the first fortnight, to have seen 
three men in bed with the fever, and that only one died during 
that period, and his disease was a consumption. Indeed the sea 
shore is healthy, except in the vicinity of stagnant fresh water, 
and would be very pleasant if the inhabitants were not annoyed 
by sand-flies and musketoes ; the former are most troublesome 
in the spring and autumnal months, and in cloudy and damp 
mornings and evenings : they are unable to endure much heat 
or cold, and disappear on the approach of either. The mus- 
ketoes are most troublesome during the heat of summer, par- 
ticularly at night. I have annexed these remarks, because gov- 
ernor Ellis asserts that the maritime parts of Georgia are the 
most unhealthy and unpleasant. 

In 1758, the lands which had been acquired from the In- 
dians, and laid off into districts, were formed into eight par- 
ishes — Christ Church, St. Matthew's, St. George's, St. Paul's, 
St. Phillip's, St. John's, St. Andrew's, and St. James's. After 
the rice swamps were opened and cultivated in Medway settle- 
ment in the parish of St. John's, it was soon ascertained that a 
residence on the sea-shore proved more healthy than on the in- 
land swamps, particularly during the summer and autumnal 
months. Mark Carr owned a tract of land which was high, 
sandy and dry, situated on Medway river ; this he laid off into 
a town, dividing it into lots, streets, lanes, and commons : pro- 
]DOsals were made to him to make a deed of trust for this tract 
of land, to which he consented, and accordingly executed a deed 
on the 19th of June 1758, to James Maxwell, Kenith Baillie, 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1158. 177 

John Elliot, Gray Elliot, and John Stevens, who were appointed 
trustees. This town is bounded on the east by Medway river 
and St, Catharine's sound, which communicates with the sea, 
and on the other side by pine lands, which are generally lower 
thaji that on which the town was laid off, and a rising neck of 
land communicating with the country to the west : the town 
was called Sunbury, the etymology of which is probably, the 
residence of the sun, from the entire exposure of this place to 
his beams while he is above the horizon. Soon after its settle- 
ment and organization as a town, it rose into considerable com- 
mercial importance: emigrants came from different quarters 
to this healthy maritime port, particularly from Bermuda: 
about seventy came from that island, but unfortunately for them 
and the reputation of the town, a mortal epidemic broke out, 
and carried off about fifty of their number the first year : it is 
highly probable they brought the seeds of the disease with them. 
Of the remainder, as many as were able, returned to their native 
country. This circumstance however, did not very much re- 
tard the growing state of this eligible spot: a lucrative trade 
was carried on with various parts of the West Indies, in lumber,, 
rice, indigo, corn, &c. Seven square rigged vessels have been 
known to enter the port of Sunbury in one day, and about the 
years 1769 and 1770, it was thought by many, in point of com- 
mercial consequence, to rival Savannah. In this prosperous 
state it continued with very little interruption, until the war 
commenced between Great-Britain and America, when it was 
taken by the British troops under the command of general Pro- 
vost. After the revolutionary war, trade took a different chan- 
nel, and Savannah became the receptacle for the exports and im- 
ports of that portion of the province, which had formerly passed 
through Sunbury. Farther notice will be taken of this town 
in its proper place. 



12 



CHAPTER VI. 

WHEX general Abercrombie succeeded lord Loudon, 
as commander in chief of the British forces in 
America, it was contemplated to take possession of 
the French strong holds on the Ohio, westward of Virginia ; and 
the Cherokees were invited to join their allies in the capture 
of fort Duquesne : the French finding a superior force coming 
against them, burned the houses, destroyed the works, abandoned 
the place, and fell down the river in small boats to establish 
other works west of the Cherokee mountains. The fight of the 
French garrison to the south, prognosticated the visitation of 
greater evils to Georgia and the Carolinas: the scene of action 
was only changed to positions more accessible, and the baleful 
influecce of those active and enterprising enemies, soon ap- 
peared among the upj)er tribes of the Cherokees. An unfor- 
tunate quarrel between the savages and Virginians, helped to 
forward the designs of the French, by opening to them an easier 
access to the tovsms of those Indians. In the different expedi- 
tions against the French, the Cherokees, agreeably to treaty, had 
sent considerable parties of warriors to the assistance of the 
British army. As the horses in those parts ran wild in the 
woods, it was customary both among the Indians and white 
people on the frontiers, to catch them and appropriate them to 
their own purjjoses : while the savages were returning home 
through the back parts of Virginia, many of them having lost 
their horses, caught such as came in their way. never imagining 
that they belonged to any individual in the province. The Vir- 
ginians resented the injury by force of arms, and killed twelve 
or fourteen of the unsuspecting savages, and took several pris- 
oners: the Cherokees were highly provoked at such ungrateful 
usage from their allies, whose frontiers they had helped to 
change from a field of blood to peaceful habitations, and when 
they returned home, told what had happened, to their nation: 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1159. 179 

the flame soon spread through the upper towns, and those who 
had lost their friends and relations were implacable, breathing 
indiscriminate fury and vengeance against the white people. In 
vain did the chiefs interpose their authority; nothing would 
restrain the furious spirit of their young men, who were deter- 
mined to take satisfaction for the loss of their relations: the 
emissaries of France added fuel to the flame, by telling them 
that the English intended to kill all their men, and make slaves 
of their wives and children ; they instigated them to bloodshed, 
and furnished them with arms and ammunition. The scattered 
families on the frontiers of Georgia, lay much exposed to the 
tomahawk and scalping knife of these savages, who commonly 
make no distinction of age or sex, but pour an indiscriminate 
vengeance upon the innocent and guilty. Fort Loudon, on the 
south bank of Tennessee river, opposite to the place where Tel- 
lico block-house was afterwards built, and garrisoned by two 
hundred men under the command of captains Demere and Steu- 
art, first felt the direful effects of the Cherokee's vengeance. 
The soldiers as usual making excursions into the woods, to hunt 
for fresh provisions, were attacked and some of them killed: 
from this time such dangers threatened the garrison, that every 
one was confined within the small boundaries of the fort ; all 
communication with the distant settlement, from which they re- 
ceived supplies being cut off, and the garrison being but poorly 
provisioned, had no other prospects but those of famine or death. 
Parties of Indians took the field, rushed down among the set- 
tlements, and murdered and scalped a number of people on the 
frontiers. Fort Prince George had been erected in 1755, on 
the bank of Savannah river, near a town of the Cherokee's, 
called Keowee: the commanding officer of this garrison com- 
municated to the governors of South-Carolina and Georgia, the 
dangers with which they were threatened ; upon which gov- 
ernor Lyttleton ordered out a body of militia, and repaired to 
the fort, where he formed a treaty with six of the chiefs, on the 
26th of December 1759 ; one of the articles required that thirty- 



180 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 

two Indian warriors were to be given as hostages to fulfil other 
conditions ; these were confined in a small hut not more than 
sufiicient for the comfortable accommodation of six soldiers. 
The small-pox broke out in the governor's camp, his men be- 
came dissatisfied and mutinous, and the governor was obliged 
to return to Charleston. The rejoicings on his return were 
scarcely ended, when hostilities were recommenced by the In- 
dians, who were dissatisfied with the conditions of the treaty, 
and denied the powers of the few chiefs who had framed it: 
fourteen men had been killed within a mile of fort Prince- 
George: the Indians had contracted an invincible antipathy to 
captain Coytmore who commanded in the fort: the imprison- 
ment of their chiefs had converted their desire for peace into 
the bitterest rage for war. Occonostota, a chieftain of great in- 
fluence, had become a most implacable and vindictive enemy : he 
collected a strong party of Cherokees, surrounded the fort, and 
compelled the garrison to keep within their works, but finding 
he could make no impression on them, nor oblige the "commander 
to surrender, he contrived the following stratagem for the re- 
lief of his countrymen, confined in it as hostages : as the under- 
wood was well calculated for his purposes, he placed a party of 
savages in a dark cane-brake by the river side, and then sent an 
Indian woman whom he knew to be always welcome at the fort, 
to inform the commander that he had something of consequence 
to communicate to him, and would be glad to speak to him at 
the river side: captain Coytmore imprudently consented, and 
without any suspicion of danger walked to the river, accom- 
panied by lieutenants Bell and Foster: Occonostota appeared 
on the opposite side, and told him he was going to Charleston 
to procure the release of the hostages, and would be glad of a 
white man to accompany him as a safe-guard; the better to 
cover his design, he had a bridle in his hand, and added that he 
would go and hunt for a horse : the captain replied that he should 
have a guard and wished he might find a horse, as the journey 
was very long, and performing it on foot would be fatiguing and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 181 

tedious : upon which the Indian turned quickly round, swung 
the bridle round his head as a signal to the savages placed in 
ambush, who instantly fired upon the officers, shot the captain 
dead upon the spot, and wounded the other two ; in consequence 
of which, orders were given to put the hostages in irons, to pre- 
vent any farther danger from them : but while the soldiers were 
attempting to execute these orders, the Indians stabbed with a 
knife, the first man who laid hold of them, and wounded two 
-more, upon which the garrison, exasperated to the highest de- 
gree, fell upon the unfortunate hostages and butchered them in 
a manner too shocking to relate. 

There were few men in the Cherokee nation that did not lose 
a friend or relation by this massacre ; and therefore with one 
voice all declared for war. The leaders in every town seized 
the hatchet, telling their followers that the spirits of their mur- 
dered brothers were hovering around them, calling out for ven- 
geance on their enemies. From the different towns large par- 
ties of warriors took the field, painted according to their custom, 
and arrayed with all their instruments of death, shouting the 
war-whoop and burning with impatience to imbrue their hands 
in the blood of their enemies : they rushed down among inno- 
cent and defenceless families on the frontiers, where men, wo- 
men and children, without distinction, fell a sacrifice to their 
merciless fury : such as fled to the woods and escaped the scalp- 
ing knife, perished with hunger, and those whom they made 
prisoners, were carried into the wilderness, where they suffered 
inexpressible hardships: every day brought fresh accounts of 
these desolating ravages. In this extremity, an express was sent 
to general Amherst, the commander in chief in America, ac- 
quainting him with the deplorable situation of the southern 
provinces, and imploring his assistance in the most pressing 
terms. Accordingly a battalion of Highlanders, and four com- 
panies of the royal Scots, under the command of colonel Mont- 
gomery, were ordered immediately to embark at New York, 
and sail for the relief of Georgia and Carolina. Application 



182 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 

was made to the neighboring provinces of North-Carolina and 
Virginia for relief, and seven companies of rangers were raised 
to patrol the frontiers, and prevent the savages from pene- 
trating farther down among the settlements. A considerable 
sum was voted for presents to such of the Creeks, Chickesaws 
and Cstabaws, as should join and go to war against the Chero- 
kees ; provisions were sent to the families that had escaped to 
Augusta, and fort Moore, and the best possible preparations 
made for chastising the enemy, as soon as the regulars expected 
from iSTew York should arrive. 

In April, 1760, colonel Montgomery landed in Carolina: 
great was the joy in the province of Georgia upon the arrival 
of this gallant officer ; but as the conquest of Canada was the 
grand object of this year's campaign in America, he had orders 
to strike a sudden blow for the relief of the southern provinces, 
and return to head quarters at Albany without loss of time ; 
nothing was therefore omitted that was judged necessary to 
forward the expedition. Soon after his arrival he marched to the 
Congarees in South Carolina, where he was joined by the mili- 
tary strength of that province, and immediately put his little 
army in motion for the Cherokee country. Having but little 
time allowed him, his march was uncommonly spirited and ex- 
peditious : after reaching Twelve Mile river, he encamped on an 
advantageous ground, and marched with a party of his men in 
the night, to surprise Estatoe, an Indian town about twenty 
miles from his camp : the first noise he heard by the way, was 
the barking of a dog before his men, where he was informed 
there Avas an Indian town called little Keowee, which he or- 
dered his light infantry to surround, and, except women and 
children, to put every Indian in it to the sword. Having done 
this piece of service, he proceeded to Estatoe, which he found 
abandoned by all the savages, excepting a few who had not time 
to make their escape. The town which consisted of two hun- 
dred houses, and was well provided with corn, hogs and poultry, 
was reduced to ashes. Sugar-town, and every other settlement 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 183 

eastward of the Blue Ridge, afterwards shared the same fate. In 
these lower towns about sixty Indians were killed, forty made 
prisoners, and the rest driven to seek for shelter among the 
mountains. Having finished this business with the loss of only 
three or four men, he marched to the relief of fort Prince- 
George, which had been for some time invested by savages, inso- 
much that no soldier durst venture beyond the bounds of the 
fort, and where the garrison was in distress, not so much for 
the want of provisions, as fuel to prepare them. 

While the army rested at fort Prince-George, Edmund At- 
kins, agent of Indian affairs, despatched two Indian chiefs to 
the middle settlements, to inform the Cherokees, that by suing 
for peace they might obtain it, as the former friends and allies 
of Britain: at the same time they sent a message to fort Lou- 
don, requesting captains Demere and Steuart, the commanding 
officers at that place, to use their best endeavors for obtaining 
peace with the Cherokees in the upper towns. Colonel Mont- 
gomery finding that the savages were not yet disposed to listen 
to terms of accommodation, determined to carry the chastise- 
ment a little farther. Dismal was the wilderness into which 
he entered, and many were the hardships and dangers he had 
to encounter, from dark thickets, rugged paths and narrow 
passes ; in which a small body of men, properly posted, might 
harass and tire out the bravest army that ever took the field. 
Having on every side suspicious grounds, he found occasion for 
the exercise of constant vigilance and circumspection. On the 
27th of June, when he had advanced within five miles of Etchoe, 
the nearest town in the middle settlements, he found there a 
low valley, covered so thick with brush, that a soldier could 
scarcely see the length of his body, and in the middle of which, 
there was a muddy river, with steep clay banks ; through this 
dark place, where it was impossible for any number of men 
to act together, the army must necessarily march ; and there- 
fore captain Morison, who commanded a company of rangers, 
had orders to advance and scour the thicket: they had scarcely 



184 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 

entered it, when a number of savages sprang from their am- 
buscade, fired on them, killed the captain and wounded several 
of his party : upon which the light infantry and grenadiers were 
ordered to advance and charge the enemy, which they did with 
great courage and alacrity. A heavy fire then began on both 
sides, and during some time the soldiers could only discover 
the places where the savages were hid by the report of their guns. 
Colonel Montgomery finding that the number of Indians that 
guarded this place was considerable, and that they were deter- 
mined obstinately to dispute it, ordered the royal Scots, who 
were in the rear, to advance between the savages and a rising 
ground on the right, while the Highlanders marched towards 
the left to support the light infantry and grenadiers : the woods 
resounded with the war-whoop and horrible yells of the sav- 
ages; but these, instead of intimidating the troops, seemed 
rather to inspire them with more firmness and resolution. At 
length the Indians gave way, and in their retreat falling in 
with the royal Scots, suffered considerably before they got out 
of their reach. By this time, the royals being in the front, and 
the Highlanders in the rear, the enemy keeping up a retreating 
fire took possession of a hill, apparently disposed to remain 
at a distance, but continued to retreat as the army advanced: 
colonel Montgomery perceiving that they kept aloof, gave orders 
to the line to face about, and march directly for the town of 
Etchoe. The enemy no sooner observed this movement, than 
they got behind the hill, and ran to alarm their wives and chil- 
dren. In this action, which lasted about an hour, colonel Mont- 
gomery who made several narrow escapes, had twenty men 
killed and seventy-six wounded: what number the enemy lost 
was not ascertained. Upon viewing the ground, all were as- 
tonished to see with what j udgment and skill it was chosen ; 
the most experienced officer could not have fixed upon a spot 
more advantageous for way-laying and attacking an enemy, ac- 
cording to the method of fighting practised among the Indians. 
This action, though it terminated in favor of the British army, 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 185 

had reduced it to such a situation as made it very imprudent, 
if not impracticable, to penetrate farther into those woods ; as 
the repulse of the enemy was far from being decisive, for they 
had only retired from one advantageous situation to another, 
in order to renew the attack when the army should again ad- 
vance. The humanity of the commander would not suifer him 
to leave so many wounded men exposed to the vengeance of 
savages, without a strong-hold in which he might lodge them, 
or some detachment to protect them, and which he now could 
not sjjare; should he proceed further, he saw plainly that he 
must expect frequent skirmishes, which would increase the 
number ; and the burning of so many Indian towns would be a 
poor compensation for the great risk, and perhaps sacrifice of 
so many valuable troops. To furnish horses for the men al- 
ready wounded, he was obliged to throw away many bags of 
flour into the river, and what remained was no more than suffi- 
cient for his army on their return to fort Prince-George. Under 
these circumstances therefore, orders were given for a retreat, 
which was made with great regularity, although the enemy con- 
tinued hovering around and annoying them to the utmost of 
their power. A large train of wounded men was brought above 
sixty miles through a hazardous country in safety, for which 
no small share of honor and credit was due to the officer who 
conducted the retreat. 

The dangers which threatened the frontiers, induced colonel 
Montgomery to leave four companies of the royal regiment 
under the command of major Frederick Hamilton for their pro- 
tection, while he embarked with the battalion of Highlanders, 
and sailed for New York. In the mean time, the distant gar- 
rison of fort Loudon, consisting of two hundred men, was re- 
duced to the dreadful alternative of perishing by hunger, or 
submitting to the mercy of the enraged Cherokees. Having re- 
ceived information that the Virginians had undertaken to re- 
lieve them, for a while they seemed satisfied, anxiously waiting 
for the realization of their hopes. The Virginians however, 



186 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 

were equally disqualified with their neighbors of Carolina, from 
rendering them any assistance. So remote was the fort from 
every settlement, and so difficult was it to march an army 
through a barren wilderness, where the passes and thickets 
were ambuscaded by the enemy, and to carry at the same time 
sufficient supplies, that the Virginians had given over all 
thoughts of the attempt. The provisions in the mean time being 
entirely exhausted at the fort, the garrison was reduced to the 
most deplorable situation : for a whole month they had no other 
subsistence but the flesh of lean horses and dogs, and a small 
supply of Indian beans. Long had the officers animated and 
encouraged the men with the hopes of relief ; but now being- 
blockaded night and day by the enemy, and having no resource 
left, they threatened to leave the fort, and die at once by the 
hands of the savages, rather than perish slowly by famine. In 
this extremity, the commander was obliged to call a council of 
war, to consider what was proper to be done; the officers were 
all of opinion that it was impossible to hold out any longer, 
and therefore agreed to surrender the fort to the Cherokees on 
the best terms that could be obtained from them. For this pur- 
pose captain Steuart, an officer of great sagacity and address, 
and much beloved by all the Indians who remained in the Brit- 
ish interest, procured leave to go to Chote, one of the principal 
towns in that neighborhood, where he obtained the following 
terms of capitulation, which were signed by the commanding 
officer and two chiefs : "That the garrison of fort Loudon 
march out with their arms and drums, each soldier having as 
much powder and ball as their officer shall think necessary for 
their march, and all the baggage they may choose to carry : that 
the garrison be permitted to march to Virginia, or fort Prince- 
George, as the commanding officer shall think proper, unmo- 
lested ; and that a number of Indians be appointed to escort 
them, and hunt for provisions during the march: that such sol- 
diers as are lame, or by sickness disabled from marching, be 
received into the Indian towns, and kindly used until they re- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 187 

cover, and then be allowed to proceed to fort Prince-George: 
that the Indians do provide for the garrison as many horses 
as they conveniently can for their march, agreeing with the offi- 
cers and soldiers for the payment: that the fort's great guns, 
powder, ball, and spare arms, be delivered to the Indians with- 
out fraud or further delay, on the day appointed for the march 
of the troops." 

Agreeably to the terms stipulated, the garrison delivered up 
the fort, on the 7th of August, and marched out with their arms, 
accompanied by Occonostota the prince of Chote, and several 
other Indians, and that day marched fifteen miles on their way 
to fort Prince-George. At night they encamped on a plain 
about two miles from Taliquo an Indian town, when all their 
Indian attendants, upon some pretence or other, left them ; 
which the ofiicers considered as an unfavorable omen, and there- 
force placed a strict guard round their camp. During the night 
they remained unmolested, but next morning at the dawn of 
day, a soldier from an out-post came running in, and informed 
them, that he saw a vast number of Indians, armed and painted 
in a warlike manner, creeping among the bushes, and advanc- 
ing in order to surround the camp : scarcely had the command- 
ing officer time to order his men under arms, when the savages 
poured in upon them a heavy fire from different directions, ac- 
companied by the most hideous yells, which struck a panic into 
the soldiers, who were so much enfeebled and dispirited that 
they were incapable of making any effectual resistance. Cap- 
tain Paul Demere the commander, and three other officers, with 
twenty-six men, fell at the first onset ; some fled into the woods 
and were afterwards taken prisoners ; captain Steuart, and 
those who remained, were seized, pinioned, and carried back 
to fort Loudon. No sooner had Attakullakulla heard that his 
friend captain Steuart, had escaped death, than he hastened to 
the fort and purchased him from the Indian who took him, giv- 
ing him his rifle, clothes, and all that he could command, by 
way of ransom: he then took possession of captain Demere's 



188 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 

house, where he kept his prisoner as one of his family, and 
humanely shared with him the little provisions his table af- 
forded, until an opportunity should offer of rescuing him from 
their hands ; but the poor soldiers were kept in a miserable state 
of captivity for some time, and then ransomed at considerable 
expense. 

During the time these prisoners were confined at fort Lou- 
don, Occonostota formed a design of attacking fort Prince- 
George, and for this purpose despatched a messenger to the In- 
dian settlements in the valley, requesting all the warriors to 
join him at Stickoe-old-town. By accident a discovery was 
made of ten kegs of powder, and ball in proportion, which the 
officers had secretly buried in the fort, to prevent it from fall- 
ing into the hands of the enemy: this discovery had nearly 
proved fatal to captain Steuart, and would certainly have cost 
him his life, had not the interpreter had so much presence of 
mind, as to assure the enemy that this ammimition had been 
concealed without his knowledge or consent. The Indians hav- 
ing now abundance of ammunition for the siege, a council was 
called at Chote, to which captain Steuart was brought, and put 
in mind of the obligations he lay under to them for sparing his 
life ; and as they had resolved to carry six cannon and two co- 
horns with them against fort Prince-George, to be managed by 
men under his command, they told him he must go and write 
such letters to the commandant as they should dictate: they 
informed him at the same time, that if that officer should refuse 
to surrender, they were determined to burn the prisoners, one 
after another before his face, and try if he could be so obstinate 
as to hold out while he saw his friends expiring in the flames : 
captain Steuart was much alarmed at his situation, and from 
that moment resolved to make his escape or perish in the at- 
tempt : his design he privately communicated to his faithful 
friend Attakullakulla, and told him how uneasy he was at the 
thoughts of being compelled to bear arms against his country- 
men: he acknowledged that he had always been a brother to 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA. 1760. 189 

him, and hoped he would now assist him in projecting the 
means of escape from this perilous situation. The old man 
took him by the hand, told him he might rely upon his friend- 
ship, that he had given him one proof of his esteem, and in- 
tended to give him another, so soon as his brother should re- 
turn and help him to concert the measure : he said he was fully 
apprized of the evil designs of his countrymen, and the fatal 
consequences which would be the result ; and should he go and 
persuade the garrison of fort Prince-George to surrender by 
capitulation, as fort Loudon had done, what could be expected 
but that they would share the same treacherous dismal fate. 

Strong and uncultivated minds carry friendship, as well as 
enmity, to an astonishing length. Among the savages, family 
friendship is a national virtue, and civilized nations may blush, 
when they consider how far barbarians have often surpassed 
them in the practice of it. The instance I am going to relate, 
is as singular and memorable as many that have been re- 
corded in the annals of history. 

Attakullakulla claimed captain Steuart as his prisoner, and 
had resolved at every hazard to save his life, and for this pur- 
pose there was no time to be lost : accordingly he signified to his 
countrymen that he intended to go hunting for a few days, and 
carry his prisoner with him to eat venison: at the same time 
captain Steuart went among his soldiers, and told them that 
they could never expect to be ransomed by their government, 
if they gave the smallest assistance to the Indians against fort 
Prince-George. Having settled all matters, they set out on 
their journey accompanied by the old warrior's wife, his brother 
and two soldiers, who were the only persons of the garrison that 
knew how to convey great guns through the woods. For pro- 
visions they depended upon what they might kill by the way: 
the distance to the frontier settlements was great, and the ut- 
most expedition necessary, to prevent any surprise from In- 
dians pursuing them. Nine days and nights did they travel 
through a dreary wilderness, shaping their course by the sun 



190 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 

and moon for Virginia, and traversing many hills, vallies and 
paths, that had never been travelled before but by savages and 
wild beasts. On the tenth they arrived at Holston's river, 
where they fortunately fell in with a party of three hundred 
men, sent out by colonel Bird for the relief of such soldiers as 
might make their escape that way from fort Loudon. On the 
fourteenth day the captain reached colonel Bird's camp, on the 
frontiers of Virginia, where having loaded his faithful friend 
and his party, with presents and provisions, he sent him back 
to protect the unhappy prisoners until they should be ran- 
somed, and to exert his influence among the Cherokees for the 
restoration of peace. Captain Steuart's first reflections, after 
his escape from the savages, were exercised to concert ways 
and means for the relief and ransom of his garrison: he des- 
patched expresses to Georgia and Carolina, informing them 
of the sad disaster that had happened to the garrison of fort 
Loudon, and of the designs of the Indians against fort Prince- 
George. In consequence of which, orders were given to Major 
Thompson, who commanded the militia on the frontiers of 
Georgia and Carolina, to throw in provisions for ten weeks into 
that fort, and warn the commanding officer of his danger. The 
settlers near Augusta, secured their families as well as they 
could in stockade forts. A messenger was sent to Attakullakulla, 
desiring him to inform the Cherokees, that fort Prince-George 
was impregnable, having vast quantities of powder buried 
under ground every where around it, to blow up all enemies 
that should attempt to come near it. Presents of considerable 
value were sent to ransom the prisoners at fort Loudon, a few 
of whom had by this time made their escape: and afterwards, 
not only those that were confined in the towns and in the val- 
lies, but also all that had survived the hardships of hunger, dis- 
ease and captivity, in the upper towns, were released and de- 
livered up to the commanding officer at fort Prince-George. 

It might be expected that the vindictive spirit of the sav- 
ages would now have been satisfied, and that they would have 



IIISTOEY OF GEORGIA, 1760. 191 

been disposed to listen to terms of accommodation : the treacher- 
ous conduct to the soldiers at fort Loudon, they intended as a 
satisfaction for the harsh treatment their hostage friends and 
relations had met with at fort Prince-George ; and dearly had 
the provinces of Georgia and South-Carolina paid for the im- 
prisonment and massacre of the chiefs at that place. Still, how- 
ever, a great majority of the nation spurned at every offer of 
peace : the lower towns had all been destroyed by colonel Mont- 
gomery, the warriors in the middle settlements had lost many 
friends and relations ; and several Frenchmen had crept in 
among the upper towns, and helped to foment their ill humor 
against the southern provinces. Lewis Latinac, a French offi- 
cer, was among them, and proved an indefatigable instigator 
to mischief: he furnished them with arms and ammunition, 
and urged them to war, persuading them that the English had 
nothing less in view than the extermination of their race from 
the face of the earth : at a great meeting of the nation, he pulled 
out his hatchet, and sticking it into a log, called out — "Who 
is the man that will take this up for the king of France ?" Sa- 
loue, a young warrior of Estatoe, laid hold of it and cried out, 
"I am for war ! the spirits of our brothers who have been slain, 
still call upon us to revenge their death — he is no better than a 
woman who refuses to follow me." Many others seized the 
tomahawk, yet dyed with the stains of innocent blood, and 
burned with impatience for the field. Finding the provinces 
still under the most dreadful apprehensions from their savage 
neighbors, who continued insolent and vindictive, and ready 
to renew their ravages and murders ; application was again 
made to general Amherst for assistance. Canada being now 
reduced, the commander in chief could the more easily spare a 
force adequate to the purpose intended. Colonel Montgomery, 
who conducted the former expedition, having embarked for 
England, the command of the Highlanders devolved on lieu- 
tenant colonel James Grant, who was ordered to relieve the dis- 
tresses of the southern provinces: on the 1st of January he 



192 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1761. 

landed at Charleston, where he quartered for the winter. Geor- 
gia was yet but a narrow strip of settlement on the southern 
frontier of Carolina, consequently barely able to protect herself 
at home. Carolina determined to exert herself to the utmost, 
that in conjunction with the regular forces, a severe correction 
might be given to those troublesome savages : for this purpose 
a provincial regiment was raised, and the command of it given 
to colonel Middleton: presents were provided for the Indian 
allies, and several of the Chickesaws and Catabaws engaged 
to assist them against the Cherokees. The Creeks whose help 
was also strongly solicited, played an artful game between the 
English and French, and gave the one or the other encourage- 
ment, according to the advantages they reaped from them. All 
possible preparations were made for supplying the army with 
provisions at different stages, and with such means of convey- 
ance as were thought necessary to the expedition ; and they flat- 
tered themselves that by one resolute exertion, they would tire 
the savages of war, and oblige them to accept of such terms of 
peace as were dictated to them. After being joined by the 
provincial regiment and Indian allies, colonel Grant mustered 
in all, about two thousand six hundred men. With this force 
he took up his line of march early in the spring : he had served 
some years in America, and had been in several engagements 
with Indians, he was therefore no stranger to their method of 
making war: he was sensible how ready they were to take all 
advantages by surprise, stratagem or otherwise, that the nature 
of the country afforded: caution and vigilance were not only 
necessary on his part, but to prepare an army for such service, 
the dress, arms and discipline, should all be adapted to the na- 
ture of the country, in order to give the men every advantage. 
According to the Indian manner of attack, the eye should be 
habituated to perpetual watchfulness; the body should be so 
clothed as to be free from encumbrance, and equipped in such 
light armor as would be most manageable in a thick forest ; the 
feet and legs should be fortified against briars and brushy 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1761. 193 

woods ; and those men who had been accustomed to hunting, 
being quick-sighted, were found to be of great service in scour- 
ing the dark thickets, and as guards to the main body. Euro- 
peans, who were strangers to the country and mode of Indian 
warfare, were not well calculated for military service in Amer- 
ica. Many brave officers, ignorant of the peculiar circum- 
stances of the country, have fallen a sacrifice to their own rash- 
ness, and the numerous snares to which they were exposed by 
savage cunning. 

On the 27th of May, colonel Grant arrived at fort Prince- 
George, and Attakullakulla, having received information that 
he was advancing against his nation with a formidable army, 
hastened to his camp, to signify his earnest desire for peace: 
he told the colonel that he always had been, and ever would con- 
tinue to be, a firm friend to the English ; that the outrages of 
his countrymen covered him with shame, and filled his heart 
with grief; nevertheless he would gladly interpose in their be- 
half, in order to bring about an accommodation. He said he 
had often been ignominiously censured by his countrymen, for 
his pacific disposition, and that the young warriors of his na- 
tion had delighted in war, and despised his counsels, after he 
had endeavored to get the war-club buried, and the former good 
correspondence with the provinces re-established. ISTow he was 
determined to set out for the nation to persuade them to con- 
sult their safety, and speedily agree to terms of peace ; and 
warmly begged the colonel to proceed no further until he re- 
turned. Colonel Grant replied, that he had always entertained 
the highest opinion of his honesty and integrity ; that he had 
always been a friend to the English ; that the observance of his 
wise policy would have produced the happiest effects, if the 
obstinacy of his nation had not forbidden them to follow his 
advice ; that he was but one man and did not speak the senti- 
ments of the nation, which had been led astray by the falshood 
of French emissaries. 

13 



194 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1761. 

On the 7th of June, colonel Grant marched from fort Prince- 
George, carrying with him thirty days provision. A party of 
ninety Indians and thirty woodsmen from the frontiers, painted 
like Indians, under the command of captain Kenedy, were or- 
dered to march in front and scour the woods. After them the 
light infantry and fifty rangers followed, consisting in all of 
about two hundred men; by whose vigilance and activity the 
commander imagined that the main-body of the army might be 
kept secure from surprise. For three days he made forced 
marches, in order to get over two narrow dangerous defiles in 
the mountains, which he accomplished without a shot from the 
enemy, but which might have cost him dear, had they been 
properly guarded and disputed by the Indians. On the 10th, 
various circumstances concurred to awaken suspicion in every 
direction, and orders were given for the first time, to load and 
prepare for action, and the guards to march slowly forward, 
doubling their vigilance. As they frequently spied Indians 
around them, all were convinced that they should that day have 
an engagement : at length having advanced near the place where 
colonel Montgomery Avas attacked the preceding year, the In- 
dian allies in the van-guard, about eight in the morning, ob- 
served a large body of Cherokees posted upon a hill on the right 
flank of the army, and immediately gave the alarm. The sav- 
ages rushed down and commenced a heavy fire upon the ad- 
vanced guard, which being supported, the enemy was soon re- 
pulsed, and again formed upon the heights : under this hill the 
army was obliged to march a considerable distance. On the left 
was a river, from the opposite bank of which, a large party of 
Indians fired briskly on the troops as they advanced. Colonel 
Grant ordered a party to march up the hill and drive the enemy 
from the heights, while the line faced about and gave their 
whole charge to the Indians who annoyed them from the side 
of the river: the engagement became general, and the savages 
seemed determined obstinately to dispute the lower grounds, 
while those on the hill were dislodged only to return with re- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1761. 195 

doubled ardor to the charge. The situation of the troops was 
iu several respects unfavorable: fatigued by a tedious march 
in rainy weather ; surrounded with woods, so that they could 
not discern the enemy ; galled by the scattered fire of the sav- 
ages, who when joressed always kept aloof, but rallied again and 
returned to the ground; no sooner did the army gain an ad- 
vantage over them on one quarter, than they appeared in force 
on another. While the attention of the commander was occu- 
pied in driving the enemy from their lurking-place on the river 
side, the rear was attacked, and so vigorous an effort made to 
take the flour and cattle, that he was obliged to order a party 
back to the relief of the rear-guard. From eight o'clock in the 
morning until eleven, the savages continued to keep up an ir- 
regular and incessant fire, sometimes from one place and some- 
times from another, while the woods resounded with the war- 
whoop, and hideous shouts and yells, to intimidate the troops. 
At length the Cherokees gave way, and being pursued for some 
time, scattered shots continued until about two o'clock, when 
the enemy disappeared. The loss sustained by the enemy in 
this action, was not accurately ascertained. Colonel Grant's 
loss was between fifty and sixty killed and wounded: orders 
were given not to bury the slain, but to sink them in the river, 
to prevent their being dug up from their graves and scalped: 
to provide horses for those that were wounded, several bags of 
flour were thrown into the river ; after which the army pro- 
ceeded to Etchoe, a large Indian town, which they reached 
about midnight, and next day reduced to ashes : all the other 
towns in the middle settlement, fourteen in number, shared the 
same fate: the corn, cattle and other stores of the enemy were 
likewise destroyed, and those miserable savages, with their 
families, were driven to seek shelter and subsistence among the 
barren mountains. 

It Avould be no easy matter to describe the various hardships 
which this little army endured in the wilderness from heat, 
thirst, watching, danger and fatigue: thirty days colonel Grant 



196 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1761. 

continued in the heart of the Cherokee territories, with a hand- 
ful of troops, compared to the number of warriors in that na- 
tion ; and upon his return to fort Prince-George, the feet and 
legs of many of his men were so mangled, and their strength 
and spirits so much exhausted, that they were unable to march 
further without rest : he resolved therefore to encamp, to re- 
fresh his men, and wait the resolutions of the Cherokees, in 
consequence of the chastisement which he had given them. Be- 
sides the numerous advantages their country afforded for de- 
fence, it was supposed that some French officers had been 
among them and given them assistance. When the Indians were 
driven from their advantageous posts and thickets, they were 
wholly disconcerted, and though the repulse was far from being 
decisive, yet after this engagement they returned no more to 
the charge, but remained the tame spectators of their towns in 
flames, and their country laid desolate. 

To represent the situation of the savages, when reduced by 
this severe correction, would be difficult: even in time of peace 
they are destitute of that foresight, which in a great measure 
provides for future events ; but in time of war, when their vil- 
lages are destroyed, and their fields plundered, they are reduced 
to the extreme of want : driven to barren mountains, the hunters 
being furnished with ammunition, might indeed obtain a 
scanty subsistence for themselves, but women, children and old 
men, must suffer greatly, when almost deprived of the means 
of supporting life. 

A few days after colonel Grant's arrival at fort Prince- 
George, Attakullakulla, attended by several chiefs, came to his 
camp and expressed a desire for peace. Severely had they 
suffered for breaking their alliance with the English, and giv- 
ing ear to the deceitful promises of the French : convinced at 
last of the weakness and perfidy of the latter, who were neither 
able to assist them in time of war, or to supply their wants 
in time of peace, they resolved to renounce all connection with 
them forever: accordingly terms of peace were drawn up and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1761. 197 

proposed, which were no less honorable to colonel Grant, than 
advantageous to the southern provinces. The different articles 
being read and interpreted, Attakullakulla agreed to them all, 
excepting one, by which it was demanded, that four Cherokee 
Indians should be delivered up to colonel Grant at fort Prince- 
George, to be put to death in the front of his camp, or four 
green scalps be brought to him within twelve days. Attakul- 
lakulla declared that he had no such authority from his nation, 
that he thought the stipulation unreasonable and unjust, and 
that he could not voluntarily grant it. Colonel Grant with- 
drew this offensive article ; after which peace was formally rati- 
fied, and their former friendship being renewed, all expressed 
a hope that it would last as long as the sun should shine and 
the rivers run. 

On the 30th of October 1760, sir James Wright was ap- 
pointed the successor of Henry Ellis, as governor of Georgia. 
Soon after his arrival at Savannah, which was early in 1761, 
he issued writs of election, and assigned to each parish the 
number of members proportioned to its population, as follows: 

CHRIST CHURCH PARISH. 
Savannah — Joseph Ottolenghe, Gray Elliott, Lewis Johnson, 
Joseph Gibbons. 

Acton — William Gibbons. 
Vernonbourgh — Edmund Tannatt. 
Sea-Islands — Henry Yonge. 
Little Ogechee — James Read. 

ST. MATTHEW'S PARISH. 
Abercorn and Goshen — William Erancis. 
Ebenezer — William Ewen, JST. W. Jones, James de Veaux. 

ST. GEORGE'S PARISH. 

Hallifax — Alexander Wylly, James Whitefield. 
ST. PAUL'S PARISH. 

Augusta — Edward Barnard, John Graham, Williams, 

or L. McGillvray. 



198 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1761. 

ST. PHILIP'S PAKISH. 
Great Ogechee — Elisha Butler, John Maxwell. 

ST. JOHIST'S PARISH. 
Midway and Sunbury — Thomas Carter, Parmenus Way, 
John Winn. 

ST. ANDREW'S PARISH. 

Darien — Robert Baillie, John Holmes. 

ST. JAMES'S PARISH. 
Frederica — Lachlan Mcintosh. 

After the usual ceremonies, a variety of subjects were sub- 
mitted by the governor for legislative consideration, judiciously 
selected for the advantage of the colony. It is to be regretted 
that little can be said of the progress which was made in agri- 
culture or commerce, under the administration of governor 
Wright's predecessors. The want of talents in Reynolds, and 
the want of morality and proper exertion in Ellis, occasioned 
the colony to be left in a less prosperous state than they had 
found it : the province had long suffered for want of credit, and 
the political foresight of governor Wright, was soon evidenced 
by his judicious arrangements: bills of credit to the amount 
of seven thousand four hundred and ten pounds sterling were 
put in circulation, and ways and means applied for keeping 
up its credit. The good effects of this policy were soon experi- 
enced : thirty-seven vessels were fully freighted in one year, 
and the rich swamps of Georgia invited laborers to the cultiva- 
tion of rice. By the peace which was soon after made with 
Spain, the boundaries were extended to the Mississippi on the 
west, and on the south to latitude 31°, and the St. Mary's river. 
East and west Florida were also given up by Spain, and though 
of themselves but little more than a barren waste, formed an 
important acquisition to Georgia ; it deprived the Spaniards of 
a strong hold, from which they had sent out armed forces to 
harass the province, and which was an easy avenue through 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1761. 199 

which it had been often invaded : it removed troublesome neigh- 
bors out of their way, who had often excited the savages to hos- 
tilities against them, and made Augustine an asylum for fugi- 
tive slaves: it opened some convenient ports for trade with 
Britain and the West Indies, and for annoying the French and 
Spanish ships coming through the gulf of Florida, in case of 
any future rupture : it formed a strong frontier for Georgia, 
and furnished an immense tract of valuable land for reduced 
officers, soldiers and others, to settle and cultivate. To testify 
the high sense the king had of the conduct and bravery of his 
officers and soldiers during the late war, and to encourage the 
settlement of Georgia, tracts of land were offered to them as 
rewards for their services. Orders were given to the governor, 
to grant without fee or reward, five thousand acres to each field 
officer who had served in America ; three thousand to every 
captain ; two thousand to every subaltern ; two hundred to every 
non-commissioned officer, and fifty to every private soldier, 
free of tax for ten years ; but subject at the expiration of that 
term, to the same as the other lands in the province, and to 
the same conditions of cultivation and improvement. For the 
encouragement of the settlers, they were allowed civil establish- 
ments similar to those of other royal governments on the conti- 
nent, so soon as their circumstances would admit, and the same 
provision was made for their lives, liberties and properties, 
under the new as under the old government. 

'No province on the continent felt the happy effects of this 
public security, sooner than Georgia, which had long struggled 
under many difficulties arising from the want of credit from 
friends, and the frequent molestations of enemies. During the 
late war, the government had been given to a man who wanted 
neither wisdom to discern, nor resolution to pursue, the most 
effectual means for its improvement : while he proved a father 
to the people, and governed the province with equity and jus- 
tice, he discovered at the same time the excellence of its low 
lands and river swamps, by the proper management and diligent 



200 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1761. 

cultivation of which, he acquired in a few years a plentiful for- 
tune. His example and success, gave vigor to industry, and 
promoted a spirit of emulation among the planters for improve- 
ment : the rich lands were sought for with that zeal, and cleared 
with that ardor, which the prosj^ect of riches naturally inspired. 
The British merchants observing the province safe and advanc- 
ing to a hopeful and promising state, were no longer backward 
in extending credit to it, but supplied it with negroes, and 
goods of British manufacture, with equal freedom as other prov- 
inces on the continent. The planters no sooner got the strength 
of Africa to assist them, than they labored with success, and 
the lands every year yielded greater and greater increase. The 
trade of the province kept pace with its progress in cultivation ; 
the rich swamps attracted the attention not only of strangers, 
but even of the planters of Carolina, who had been accustomed 
to treat their poor neighbors with the utmost contempt, several 
of whom sold their estates in that colony, and removed with 
their families and effects to Georgia. Many settlements were 
made by the Carolinians about Sunbury, and upon the Alata- 
maha. The price of produce at Savannah increased as the qual- 
ity improved, a circumstance which contributed much to the 
prosperity of the country. The planters situated on the oppo- 
site side of Savannah river, found in the capital of Georgia, a 
convenient and excellent market for their staple commodities. 
In short, from this period the rice, indigo and naval stores, ar- 
rived at the markets in Europe, of equal excellence and perfec- 
tion, and, in proportion to its strength, in equal quantities with 
those of its more powerful and opulent neighbors. 



CHAPTER VII. 

REQUEl^T ruptures had occurred among the different na- 
tions of Indians, and it had required the exercise of no 
small share of policy, to steer a course which would free 
them from the necessity of taking an active part in their wars : 
the Creeks particularly, held in remembrance the assistance 
which they had rendered general Oglethorpe in his attack upon 
Augustine, as well as the services which he had received from 
them when the Spaniards attacked him on St. Simon's island. 
Traders had heretofore taken out licenses from the governors 
of Carolina and Georgia, for carrying on commerce with the 
Indians : this plan however, had been found on experiment, to 
be very objectionable ; the traders were so far removed from 
the power to which they were amenable, that they committed 
frauds on the ignorant savages with whom they were licensed 
to trade, so that scarcely a month passed without some com- 
plaints ; it was therefore thought that the office of a superin- 
tendent was necessary in the southern as well as the northern 
district of America. Accordingly this office was given to cap- 
tain John Steuart, who was in every respect well qualified for 
the trust ; as Attakullakulla, had given it as his opinion, that 
the southern provinces would receive no molestation from the 
Indians, if this officer was appointed to reside among them, 
and to advise and direct them. After his commission arrived 
from the king, the southern provinces promised themselves 
peace and tranquillity with the Indians. Plans of lenity were 
likewise adopted by the government, with respect to Indian 
tribes, and every possible precaution was taken to guard against 
oppression, and prevent any rupture with them. Experience 
had shewn that rigorous measures, such as humbling them by 
force of arms, were not only very expensive, inhuman, bloody, 
and incompatible with the christian character, but also seldom 
accompanied with any good effects : such ill treatment generally 



202 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1762. 

rendered the savages cruel, suspicious and distrustful, and kept 
them in preparation for the renewal of hostilities, by keeping 
alive their ferocious and warlike spirit. Their extirpation, 
though it might be easily effected would be as dishonorable and 
incorrect as it was cruel; and the prosperity of the provinces, 
would be retarded by the attempt: whereas by treating them 
with gentleness and humanity, it was thought they would by 
degrees lose their savage spirit, and become more harmless and 
civilized. It was hoped that by establishing a fair and free 
trade with them, their rude temper would in time be softened, 
their manners amended, and their wants increased ; and instead 
of implacable enemies, ever bent on war and mischief, they 
might be rendered good allies, and beneficial to the trade of 
the country. 

It was thought advisable by the superintendent of Indian af- 
fairs, soon after his appointment, to call a general congress of 
the southern tribes ; and Mobile was fixed on as the most proper 
and convenient place for the meeting. As captain Steuart was 
well acquainted with the humors, tempers and characters of 
these tribes, his speech, in which is exhibited a good specimen 
of the language and manner proper for addressing barbarous 
nations, may not be unworthy of the reader's perusal. 

"Friends and brothers — the Supreme Being, who made the 
world and all its inhabitants, has been pleased to permit many 
great warriors of the British and Indian nations, to meet to- 
gether in peace. The great king, who is the father of all white 
people in Great Britain and America, and defends them from 
danger, this day stretches out his arms to receive his red chil- 
dren into favor: he has been pleased to appoint me superin- 
tendent of the affairs of all Indian nations to the southward 
of Virginia : in his name I speak to you ; and as the words you 
hear are his words, I hope you will listen to them with atten- 
tion, and allow them to remain deeply impressed on your minds : 
they are calculated to promote not only your happiness, but 
that of your children, and children's children forever. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1162. 203 

"When the great kings of Britain and France were at vari- 
ance, the storms of war raged through this great forest; the 
Indian nations were divided, brothers against brothers, and 
your country was stained with blood ; malice and revenge went 
forth ; all paths were made crooked ; and your land was cov- 
ered with darkness. ]^ow that it has pleased the Author of 
Life, to restore the blessings of light and peace, it is our duty 
to make a proper use and improvement of them. As fogs gath- 
ered in the night, are dispersed by the rising sun, so words dic- 
tated by the rage of war, should be forgotten in time of peace. 
The great king, full of wisdom and magnanimity, knows the 
frailty of his red children, and forgives their disobedience and 
rebellion: he extends his love to them all, even to those who 
lifted up the hatchet against him : to render them secure, he 
has resolved that the English and French shall be forever sej)a- 
rated by the great river Mississippi, and that all nations on 
this side of it shall have him for their common father : he com- 
mands all the strife and enmity between his white and red chil- 
dren to cease, and expects that the allies of Britain will take 
those Indians, the former allies of France, by the hand, and 
live together like brethren of one family. That his white and 
red children may be near one another, and mutually supply each 
others wants, he has ordered some of his good subjects to come 
over the great waters, and live on the fruits of this land, which 
the Supreme Being made for the use of mankind in general. 
To open this friendly intercourse, I have invited you all to 
meet me at this place, and I rejoice that so many brothers are 
come to accept the royal favor and protection. 

"Ye Chickesaw warriors, I speak to you, and I know your 
ears are open to my words. The great king regards you as 
children brought up in their father's house, who from their in- 
fancy have been dutiful and obedient, and by that means mer- 
ited what you have always enjoyed, his particular care and af- 
fection. While darkness surrounded you on every side, he has 
defended you from all those snares and dangers to which you 



204 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1762. 

were exposed ; now the day is clear and unclouded, your father 
continues to love you. The paths from your towns to all na- 
tions shall be made straight and plain, and nothing shall be 
permitted to hurt your feet ; your children shall rejoice and 
grow up in safety, and your houses shall be filled with abun- 
dance of corn and venison: I am come to tell you the good 
news, and to see that justice be done you in all commercial 
dealings. 

"In the next place I speak to you, ye warriors of the great 
party of the Choctaw nation. You were like sons separated 
from their father, and removed at a great dist ance from his pro- 
tection ; but by persisting in obedience you were entitled to his 
love. The great king always acknowledged you, but now he re- 
ceives you into his family, and offers you all the favors and 
privileges of his sons. While you continue dutiful and obedi- 
ent, the eyes of your father shall be upon you, and his hand 
shall be open to relieve your wants ; under his care you shall 
enjoy all the blessings of peace and safety ; you shall receive 
no injuries from friends, nor be exposed to any dangers from 
enemies ; your arms shall be kept bright, your hunting lands 
no man shall be permitted to take from you, and there shall be 
abundance of corn about your villages. 

"But as for you, ye Choctaw warriors of the six villages, you 
were like children early lost: while you were wandering out 
of the way, without knowing your brothers you blindly struck 
them. You found a father indeed, who adopted you, and you 
have long served him with zeal, and sho\\m many proofs of your 
courage. You have received from your French father, such 
poor rewards for your services as he could bestow; but all the 
while you remained under his care you were hungry, naked and 
miserable. He gave you many fair words and promises, and 
having long deceived you, at last is obliged to leave you in your 
present forlorn and wretched condition. Now your true father 
has found you, and this day stretches forth his arms to receive 
you under his protection. He has forgotten your offences, he 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1762. 205 

knows jour weakness and forgives your errors: he knows your 
wants and is disj)osed to relieve them. I have but one tongue, 
and always speak the truth, and as I bring good news, I hope 
my words will not be blown away by the wind. The great king 
is wise, generous and merciful ; and I flatter myself with the 
hopes that you will never forget your obligations to his good- 
ness. 

''It is my duty to watch over Indians, and protect them against 
all manner of danger and oppression: for this purpose, my ears 
shall be always open to your complaints, and it shall be my study 
to redress your grievances. I must warn you to beware of all 
quarrels and outrages, by which you would certainly forfeit the 
royal favor, and plunge yourselves again into misery. I hope 
you will always observe my advice, and conduct yourselves ac- 
cordingly, that I may be able to transmit good accounts of your 
behaviour to England. It is only by the permission of the 
great king that your wants can be supplied, and that traders can 
come into your villages with guns, powder, balls, knives, hatch- 
ets, flints, hoes, clothes and other necessaries. These things 
you cannot make yourselves, and no other nation will be al- 
lowed to furnish you with them: therefore the great king has 
a right to expect your gratitude and obedience; for all he re- 
quires, is with a view to your own tranquillity and happiness. 

"As you are all received into the family of the great king, 
it is expected that Indians will not only live in friendship and 
peace with white men, but also with one another: in imitation 
of his majesty's good example, you must forget all injuries and 
offences, and throw aside all national jealousies and antipathies. 
The king expects that the great chieftains, to whom he has 
given medals and gorgets, will consider them not merely as 
ornaments, but as emblems of the high offices they bear, and 
the great trust reposed in them ; all presents made you are in 
consideration of the good services expected from you : there- 
fore, ye wise and great leaders, I expect you will use your au- 
thority like fathers, and restrain your young men froni acts of 



206 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1762. 

violence and injustice, and teach them that the only way to 
merit honor and preferment, is to be just, honest and peaceable; 
and that disgrace and punishment will be the consequences of 
disorderly practices, such as robbing plantations, and beating 
or abusing white people. 

"Ye warriors who have no commissions, I speak to you also 
in the name of the king, and I hope you will reverence his au- 
thority and love your brethren. Listen at all times to your wise 
rulers, and be careful to follow their advice and example; by 
their wisdom and justice they have arrived at a high pitch of 
preferment, and stand distinguished by great and small medals : 
if, like them you wish to be great, like them you must first be 
good ; you must respect them, as children do their father, yield- 
ing submission to their authority, and obedience to their com- 
mands: without the favor of your chiefs, you will neither get 
your wants supplied, nor reach the station of honor. An 
armourer will be sent into your nation, to clean and repair your 
rifles, but he will have instruction to mend arms for none but 
such as shall be recommended by their chief, it being proper 
that such leaders should have it in their power to distinguish 
those that are peaceable and obedient, from the obstinate and 
perverse. 

"I am to inform you all, that I will send a beloved man into 
your towns, who will be vested with authority to hear and de- 
termine all differences between you and the traders ; to deliver 
all messages from me to you, and all talks from you to me : and 
as he will come to promote your welfare and tranquillity, I hope 
you will receive him kindly, protect him against all insults, and 
assist him in the execution of his office. 

"When the French governor took his leave of you, he ad- 
vised you to look upon yourselves as the children of the king of 
Great Britain ; the advice was good, I hope you will remember 
it forever. The great king has warriors numerous as the trees 
of the forest, and stands in no need of your assistance ; but he 
desires your friendship and alliance to render you happy: he 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1162. 207 

loves peace and justice, but he will punish all murders and re- 
bellion ; be careful therefore, to keep your feet from the crooked 
and bloody path ; shun all communication with Indian tribes 
who lift the hatchet against their white brethren ; their talks, 
their calumets, their belts of wampum, and their tobacco, are 
all poisonous ; if you receive them into your towns, be assured 
you will be infected with their madness, and be in danger of 
rushing into destruction: be cautious above all things, of per- 
mitting great quantities of rum to be brought into your vil- 
lages ; it poisons your body, enervates your mind, and from re- 
spectable warriors, turns you into furious madmen, who treat 
friends and enemies alike. Mark those persons, whether they 
be white or red, that bring rum among you, for bad men; who 
violate the laws, and have nothing else in view but to cheat, 
and render you despicable and wretched. 

"Lastly — I inform you that it is the king's order to all his 
governors and subjects, to treat Indians with justice and hu- 
manity, and to forbear all encroachments on the territories al- 
lotted for them. Accordingly, all individuals are prohibited 
from jDurchasing any of your lands ; but as you know that your 
white brethren cannot feed you when you visit them, unless you 
give them grounds to plant, it is expected that you will cede 
lands to the king for that purpose: but whenever you shall be 
pleased to surrender any of your territories to his majesty, it 
must be done for the future at a public meeting of your nation, 
when the governors of the provinces, or the superintendent shall 
be present, and obtain the consent of all your people. The 
boundaries of your hunting grounds will be accurately fixed, 
and no settlement permitted to be made upon them : as you may 
be assured that all treaties with you will be faithfully kept, 
so it is expected that you also will be careful strictly to observe 
them. I have now done, and I hope you will remember the 
words I have spoken: time will soon discover to you the gen- 
erosity, justice and goodness of the British nation. By the 
bounty of the king, and a well ordered trade with his subjects, 



208 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1762. 

vour houses will be filled with plenty, and 3'our hearts with 
joy ; you will see your men and women well clothed and fed, 
and your children growing up to honor you, and add strength 
to your nation ; your peace and prosperity shall be established 
and continue from generation to generation." 

The talents and vigilance of the superintendent of Indian 
affairs, promised a preservation of peace ; and the province of 
Georgia now began to grow into importance. It was thought 
advisable however, to have a convention of the governors of the 
four southern provinces, and of the chiefs of all the nations on 
the frontiers. Lord Egremont, his majesty's principal secre- 
tary of state for the southern department, having been con- 
sulted, approved of the plan: accordingly the head men of the 
Catabaws, Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickesaws and Creeks, were 
invited to a general treaty, to be held at Augusta ; which was 
attended by governors James Wright of Georgia, Thomas 
Boone of South-Carolina, Arthur Dobbs of jSTorth-Carolina, 
lieutenant-governor Francis Fauquier of Virginia, and captain 
John Steuart superintendent of Indian affairs, in the southern 
department. This treaty was concluded on the 10th of Novem- 
ber 1763 ; and it was agreed that a farther acquisition of terri- 
tory should be annexed to Georgia; the boundary to be settled 
by a line extending up Savannah and Little rivers, to the fork 
of the latter ; thence to the head spring or source of the Ogechee 
river, and down the said river to Mount Pleasant ; thence a line 
to be run direct to Saint-Savilla on the Alatamaha river ; and 
thence in a direct line to the extremity of tide water on the 
river St. Mary's. The Cherokee and Creek nations of Indians, 
being indebted to the English Indian traders in greater sums 
than they could pay in peltries, and being desirous to discharge 
their debts, ceded and granted to the king this tract of countr_y 
upon the frontiers of Georgia ; that the same should be sold, 
and that the proceeds of the sale should be appropriated to the 
payment of their debts to these traders ; and the governor and 
council were appointed by his Britannic majesty, to sell so much 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1765. 209 

of these lands as might be requisite to settle the respective 
claims of the traders, and discharge the same out of the pro- 
duce of such sale, conformably to the design of the Indian 
grantors. I believe it may be said of Georgia, that there has 
been no instance in v^hich lands have been forced from the 
Aborigines by conquest ; and that in all cases, the Indians have 
expressed their entire satisfaction at the compensations which 
have been given them for acquisitions of territory. 

After this treaty, which was extended to a settlement of all 
differences between the several Indian nations, as well as the 
provinces, Georgia remained undisturbed by war for a con- 
siderable time. The rapid progress of the colony strikingly 
appears by a comparison of its exports: in 1763 they consisted 
of only seven thousand five hundred barrels of rice ; nine thou- 
sand six hundred and thirty-three pounds of indigo ; twelve 
hundred and fifty bushels of corn ; which together with deer 
skins, beaver fur, naval stores, provisions, timber, &c. amounted 
to no more than twenty-seven thousand and twenty-one pounds 
sterling. But in 1Y73, the province exported staple commodities 
to the value of one hundred and twenty-one thousand six hun- 
dred and seventy-seven pounds sterling ; and the number of 
negroes was estimated at fourteen thousand. 

In 1765, four additional parishes were laid off between the 
Alatamaha and St. Mary's rivers ; which were called St. David's, 
St. Patrick's, St. Thomas's and St. Mary's. 

It has been observed that the territory of Georgia was for- 
merly included in a charter granted to South-Carolina: during 
that period, and previous to the granting of a charter for this 
province to the trustees, sir William Barker had obtained a 
grant for twelve thousand acres of land, from the lords pro- 
prietors of South-Carolina, near the Alatamaha. When general 
Oglethorpe's regiment was disbanded, each of the officers and 
soldiers had a certain portion of land allotted to him, as a re- 
ward for his good conduct, and compensation for his faithful 

services. These warrants were in many instances located within 
14 



210 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1767. 

the body of land granted to Barker, whose heirs had not ex- 
hibited a claim until the year 1770, when a number of farms 
had been opened upon the land at a considerable expense. A 
petition was presented to the king in council in behalf of the 
possessors, which was referred to the board of trade for their 
opinion: their report was unfavorable, and the prayer of the 
petition was not granted. These poor soldiers were obliged to 
purchase from the heirs of Barker, not only the land, but the 
value of the labor which they had bestowed in improvements 
and preparing it for cultivation: others who were unable to 
purchase, were compelled to relinquish the fruits of their labor 
to Barker's rich descendants, and settle elsewhere. 

The rich lands at the head waters of great Ogechee and 
Oconee rivers, had drawn many settlers, and some of them 
had made improvements beyond the limits prescribed by the 
treaty of 1703. The jealousy of the Indian character, had not 
yet been well known, so far as related to the ideas they enter- 
tained of territorial rights: it had been a maxim among them, 
that all property found upon their lands, was of right, the prop- 
erty of those who claimed the territory ; this maxim applied 
to horses and cattle, as well as wild beasts of the forest. The 
Creek nation complained of these encroachments to governor 
Wright, and remarked, that if he could not restrain the white 
people, how could it be expected of them to govern their young 
warriors. When the Indians had finished their autumnal 
hunt, about the 1st of October, they stole several horses which 
they found upon their own land, to carry home their meat, and 
the goods which they had received in exchange for their peltry: 
about the same time the store of Lemmons, which had been es- 
tablished at Traders-hill, on St. Mary's river, was attacked by 
a party of Creek Indians ; Lemmons and his assistants, finding 
themselves overpowered by numbers, fled and left their store in 
possession of the savages, who carried ofl^ the goods, and burned 
the houses. A party of white men collected on Ogechee, pur- 
sued the Indians to their tov^ms, retook their horses, and re- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1767. 211 

munerated themselves for other losses which they had sus- 
tained, and burned all the houses in their towns. The chiefs 
came to Savannah and communicated these circumstances to 
governor Wright, who thought it best to compensate the Indians 
for the loss of their houses, and the superintendent compelled 
the Indians to restore Lemmons his goods: by these j)lacid 
measures, the consequences which might have been expected, 
were removed, and peace was restored. 

Alexander Cameron, a Scotchman, had been appointed 
deputy-superintendent in the Cherokee nation. This tribe had 
also shewn some discontents arising from encroachments on 
land claimed by them as hunting grounds, to the north-west of 
Little river, afterwards Wilkes county ; and similar complaints 
were made against encroachments in Carolina, upon a creek 
called Long-Cane. — Steuart directed Cameron to make a visit 
to the governor in Charleston, and to invite some of the chiefs 
to accompany him : this visit drew some presents from the gov- 
ernor, and had the desired effect. 

On the 27th of October, at the annual meeting of the general 
assembly of Georgia, governor Wright communicated to the 
upper house, the instructions of his majesty, requiring implicit 
obedience to the mutiny act; and desired that those provisions 
should be made for supplying the king's troops, which by that 
act they were directed to do. James Habersham, president of 
the upper house, signified the determination of that branch of 
the assembly, to comply with the law. A similar communica- 
tion was made to the lower house, of which Alexander Wylly 
was speaker: that branch of the assembly resolved to provide 
a sum not exceeding two hundred pounds sterling, for supply- 
ing his majesty's troops doing duty in this province, with the 
following articles ; to wit, firewood, candles, vinegar, salt, bed- 
ding, cooking utensils, and small-beer or cyder, not exceeding 
five pints, or half a pint of rum, or in lieu thereof three-pence 
sterling per dietn, to each man respectively: and also to defray 
the expense of providing necessary carriages for the said troops 



212 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1768. 

on their march through any part of the province, and for the 
hire of barns and out-houses for their lodgement, in such places 
where there were no barracks. This law was to commence its 
operation on the first day of November thereafter, and to con- 
tinue in force for one year, and to be raised and granted in the 
next general tax bill. The governor thanked the assembly for 
the promptitude with which his communication had been com- 
plied with. These measures were adopted under the pressure 
of necessity rather than free will: the colonies being tenacious 
of their liberties, and jealous of their rights, the rulers of the 
mother country, found it necessary to be cautious in exercising 
their power. The government was not only mixed but depend- 
ent, which circumstance occasioned a peculiarity in its form 
of a very delicate nature. When oppressions and dissatisfac- 
tions were permitted to accumulate, and the governed allowed 
occasionally to throw off a part of the load, it was to be ex- 
pected that they would soon do more: the rights of the people 
therefore required immediate consideration and redress. The 
petitions which had been presented to the king, were not at- 
tended to by the minister, and it was recommended to the col- 
onies, to appoint agents to superintend their demands for re- 
dress. Accordingly, at the meeting of the general assembly 
at Savannah in April, a resolution to that effect was entered 
into, and doctor Benjamin Franklin was appointed agent for 
the colony of Georgia, at the court of Great Britain: in his ac- 
ceptance of this appointment, he warmly recommends a peace- 
able, prudent, firm and animated conduct in the management 
of public affairs ; by which means they would support the char- 
acter of freemen without losing that of faithful subjects ; and 
would prove that the Americans possessed that true magiia- 
nimity which could resent injuries without becoming outrageous, 
and that they knew what was due to themselves and their pos- 
terity, as well as to the mother country: and thus they might 
advance their interest and rej^utation, and convince the world 
of the justice of their demands and the purity of their inten- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1768. 213 

tions. These measures all mankind would applaud, and con- 
fess that those deserved liberty, who so well understood its 
value, so passionately loved it, and who so temperately, wisely 
and virtuously asserted, maintained and defended it. With 
these correct impressions, doctor Franklin embarked for Eng- 
land. 

When the offensive stamp act of the 22nd of March 1Y65, re- 
ceived the royal assent in England, it produced a tumult in 
every province in America, and nothing but the repeal of it 
could heal the wound which was anticipated from its operation. 
This was succeeded by the revival of another act, equally of- 
fensive, for quartering his majesty's forces on the inhabitants, 
and supplying them in their quarters, and furnishing carriages 
on marches and other necessary occasions, and that when ever 
any troops should march through, or be stationed in any place 
in ISTorth America, no expense was to be brought upon the 
crown. These, with other mortifying and offensive grievances, 
were in many instances imposed upon the provinces, without 
their approbation or consent. But such was the disposition of 
Great Britain, that while we were supplicating relief from one 
act of oppression, two or three others were substituted in its 
stead. 

A letter was received from the speaker of the assembly of 
Massachusetts, desiring a union of the provinces in opposition 
to the oppressive acts of Great Britain ; to which the follow- 
ing answer was written: — 

"Province of Georgia, 16 June, 1768. 

Sir — Your respected favor of the 11th of February, came 
to hand only a few days since. I am sorry it is not in my power 
to give you so full and satisfactory an answer thereto as the 
importance of the subject requires. The members of the pres- 
ent assembly of this province, have but lately been elected ; and 
though the writs were returnable and the house required to meet 
the first of this month, yet our governor thought proper, prior 



214 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1110, 

thereto, to prorogue the assembly until ISTovember, For this 
reason, sir, I can only reply to your favor as a private person, 
or late speaker, and inform you that before the dissolution of 
the last assembly, the house took under consideration, the sev- 
eral late acts of parliament for imposing taxes and duties on 
the American colonies ; and being sensibly aifected thereby, or- 
dered the committee of correspondence, to instruct our pro- 
vincial agent, Mr. Benjamin Franklin, to join earnestly v^ith 
the other colonies' agents, in soliciting a repeal of those acts, 
and in remonstrating against any acts of the like nature for the 
future. These instructions has been transmitted to Mr. Frank- 
lin, and I have no doubt but he will punctually observe them. 
When the assembly meet, I will lay your favor before the 
house, and I am sure that such measures will be pursued, in 
consequence thereof, as will manifest their regard for constitu- 
tional liberty, and their resjoect for the house of representatives 
of the province of Massachusetts Bay, whose wise and spirited 
conduct is so justly admired. 

I am, Sir, &c. Alexaiq^dek Wylly." 

At a meeting of the legislature in the province of Georgia, 
in February 1770, they took into consideration the rights which 
the parliament of Great-Britain claimed, to bind the people 
of America by statutes in all cases, and their imposition of 
taxes on the Americans under various pretences, but in truth 
for the purpose of raising a revenue ; and to bend the necks of 
the colonists for the yoke which Great-Britain was preparing 
for them : and their establishing of a board of commissioners 
with unconstitutional powers, and extending the jurisdiction 
of courts of admiralty, not only for collecting the duties im- 
posed by these acts, but for trial of causes arising within the 
body of a county. Standing armies were also kept up in 
America, in time of profound peace ; and by the revival of a 
statute made in the thirty-fifth year of Henry the eighth, col- 
onists might be transported to England, and tried there upon 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1770. 215 

accusations for treasons, or misprisions or concealments of trea- 
son, committed in the colonies ; and by a late statnte, snch trials 
had been directed in cases therein mentioned: and that the gov- 
ernor had frequently taken upon himself to dissolve the as- 
semblies, contrary to the rights of the people, when they at- 
tempted to deliberate on grievances, in conformity to the cus- 
tom of their ancestors, for ascertaining and vindicating their 
rights and liberties. In consequence of these infringments, the 
house of assembly made the following declarations. 

''Firstly — That the inhabitants of the English colonies in 
North America, by the immutable laws of nature, the princi- 
ples of the English constitution, and the several charters or 
compacts, have the following rights. 

"Secondly — That they are entitled to life, liberty and prop- 
erty, and they have never ceded to any sovereign power what- 
ever, a right to dispose of either, without their consent. 

"Thirdly — That our ancestors who first settled these col- 
onies, were at the time of their emigration from the mother 
country, entitled to all the rights, liberties and immunities of 
free and natural born subjects, within the realm of England. 

"Fourthly — That by such emigTation, they by no means for- 
feited, surrendered, or lost any of those rights ; but that they 
were and their descendants now are entitled to the exercise and 
enjoyment of all such of them, as their local and other circum- 
stances enable them to exercise and enjoy. 

"Fifthly — That the foundation of English liberty and free 
government, is a right of the people to participate in the legis- 
lative council : and as the English colonists are not represented, 
and from their local and other circumstances, cannot properly 
be represented in the British parliament, they are entitled to 
a free and exclusive power of legislation, in their several pro- 
vincial legislatures ; where their right of representation can 
alone be preserved in all cases of taxation and internal policy ; 
subject only to the negative of their sovereign, in such man- 
ner as has been heretofore used and accustomed: but from the 



216 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1770. 

necessity of the case and a regard to the mutual interest of both 
countries, we cheerfully consent to the operation of such acts 
of the British parliament as are bona fide restrained to the regu- 
lation of our external commerce, for the purpose of securing 
the commercial advantag'es of the whole empire to the mother 
country, and the commercial benefits of its respective mem- 
bers ; excluding every idea of taxation, internal or external, for 
raising a revenue on the subjects in America without their con- 
sent. 

"Sixthly — That the respective colonies are entitled to the 
common law of England, and more especially to the great and 
inestimable privilege of being tried by their peers of the vicin- 
age, according to the course of that law. 

"Seventhly — That they are entitled to the benefit of siich of 
the English statutes as existed at the time of their colonization, 
and which they have by experience, respectively found to be 
applicable to their several local and other circumstances. 

"Eightly — That his majesty's colonies are likewise entitled 
to all the immunities and privileges granted and confirmed to 
them by royal charters, or secured by their several codes of pro- 
vincial laws. 

"Ninthly — That they have a right peaceably to assemble and 
consider of their grievances, and petition the king; and that 
all prosecutions, prohibitory proclamations, and commitments 
for the same, are illegal. 

"Tenthly — That the keeping a standing army in the colonies 
in times of peace, without the consent of the legislature of that 
colony in which such army is kept, is against law. 

"Eleventhly — And as it is indispensably necessary to good 
government, and rendered essential by the English constitu- 
tion, that the constituent branches of the legislature be inde- 
pendent of each other — 

"Resolved — That the exercise of legislative power in any 
colony by a council appointed during pleasure by the crown, 
may prove dangerous and destructive to the freedom of Araeri- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1710. 217 

can legislation : all and each of which, the commons of Georgia 
in general assembly met, do claim, demand and insist on, as 
their indubitable rights and liberties, which cannot be legally 
taken from them, altered or abridged, by any power whatever, 
without their consent. 

"And whereas there are many infringements and violations 
of the foregoing rights, which from an ardent desire that har- 
mony and mutual intercourse of affection and interest, may be 
restored, we pass over for the present, and proceed to state such 
acts and measures as have been adopted since the close of the 
last war ; which demonstrate a system formed to enslave 
America. 

"Resolved — That the following acts of parliament are in- 
fringements and violations of the rights of the colonies, and that 
the repeal of them is essentially necessary, in order to restore 
harmony between Great-Britain and the American colonies — 
viz. The several acts in vol. IV, Geo. the third, ch. 15 and ch. 
34 — vol. Y, Geo. the third, ch. 25 — vol. YI, Geo. the third, ch. 
52— vol. YII, Geo. the third, ch. 41, and ch. 46— vol. YIII, 
Geo. the third, ch. 22, which impose duties for the i)urposes of 
raising a revenue in America ; extend the powers of the ad- 
miralty courts beyond their ancient limits ; deprive the Ameri- 
can subjects of trial by jury; authorise the judge's certificate 
to indemnify the prosecutor from damages that he might other- 
wise be liable to ; requiring oppressive security from a claimant 
of ships and goods seized, before he shall be allowed to defend 
his property : and are subversive of American rights. Also vol. 
XII, Geo. the third, chap. 24, entitled an act for the better 
securing his majesty's dock yards, magazines, ships, ammuni- 
tion and stores, which declares a new offence in America, and 
deprives the American subjects of a constitutional trial by jury 
of the vicinage, by authorising the trial of any person charged 
with committing any offence described in the said act out of 
the realm, to be indicted and tried for the same in any shire 
or county within the realm. Also the three acts passed in the 



218 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1770. 

last session of parliament for the stopping the port, and blocking 
up the harbour of Boston ; for altering the charter and govern- 
ment of Massachusetts Bay, and that which is entitled an act 
for the better administration of justice, &c. Also the act 
passed in the same session for establishing the Roman Catholic 
religion in the province of Quebec, and abolishing the Episco- 
pal system of English laws, and erecting a tyranny there to 
the great danger, from so total a dissimilarity of religion, law, 
and government, to the neighboring British colonies, by the 
assistance of whose blood and treasure, the said country was 
conquered from France. Also the act passed in the same ses- 
sion, for the better providing suitable quarters for officers and 
soldiers in his majesty's service in Korth-America. Also that 
the keeping a standing army in several of the colonies in time 
of peace, without the consent of the legislature of that colony 
in which such army is kept, is against law. 

"Resolved — that this house do present their most grateful 
acknowledgments to those truly noble, honorable and patriotic 
advocates of civil and religious liberty, who have so generously 
and powerfully, though unsuccessfully, espoused and defended 
the cause of America, both in and out of parliament. 

''Resolved — That the thanks of this house be given to the 
members of the late continental congress, for their wise and 
able exertions in the cause of American liberty. 

"Resolved That , , be deputies to repre- 
sent this province in the intended American continental con- 
gress, proposed to be held at the city of Philadelphia on the 10th 
of May next, or at any other place or time, as may hereafter 
be agreed on by the said congress, 

"Ordered — That Mr. Speaker do transmit a copy of the above 
resolution to the honorable Peyton Randolph esquire, president 
of the said congress." 

As may be supposed, these resolutions did not correspond 
with the political wishes of governor Wright. Copies were 
transmitted to the other provinces, and to doctor Franklin in 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1110. 219 

Loudon. Similar resolutions, in substance, were received by 
doctor Jones, the speaker, from almost every province in 
America. Doctor Franklin in his letters to the speaker, ob- 
served that parliament had risen without repealing the duties 
which had been so generally complained of, but that the minis- 
try had assured him that the affairs in America had lately been 
considered in council, that it was the unanimous opinion, that 
no new acts for the purpose of raising a revenue in America 
would be passed, and that it was the full intention of his 
majesty's servants, to propose early in the ensuing session, the 
repeal of the duties on glass, paper, and painters' colours. He 
had little hopes of attaining all that he desired, or all that 
ought to have been granted at once, but the giving ground in 
some degree had a good aspect, and afforded room to hope, that 
gradually, every obstruction to that cordial amity so necessary 
for the welfare of the whole empire, would be removed: he 
thought it would be better if these things could be effected at 
once, but that it was too much to expect, considering the pride 
natural to so great a nation ; the prejudices that had so uni- 
versally prevailed with regard to the point of right, and the re- 
sentment arising from the resistance of the American provinces. 
About this time a war with Spain was considered inevitable ; 
and a disposition to accommodate amicably all differences with 
the colonies, began to show itself more strongly among persons 
in power, and the American agent thought it good policy to 
cultivate as much as possible that disposition: France however, 
being unwilling to join Spain in the contest, she thought it 
policy to smother her inclination for war. 

Late in the year 1770, the board of trade in England had in- 
structed governor Wright to consent to an act for electing rep- 
resentatives in the four parishes south of i\.latamaha. The 
deputy-secretary of state, had been required to give evidence 
before the house of representatives, but he questioned the power 
which the house had exercised, and refused compliance ; in con- 
sequence of which he was committed to prison. The governor 



220 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1111. 

refused to notice the proceedings of the house, on the grounds 
of their being illegal; alledging that he had not sanctioned a 
representation from those parishes ; and he was highly dis- 
pleased with the power which had been assumed by them, in 
the imprisonment of the deputy-secretary. These circum- 
stances, together with the evident disposition of a large ma- 
jority of the members to support the resolutions entered into 
the preceding session, induced the governor to resort to the ex- 
traordinary expedient of dissolving the assembly. The gover- 
nor contended that the house of commons had not a right to 
extend commitments beyond the members of their own body. 
On a similar occasion, the king of England was so far from 
dissolving the house for exercising or insisting on this privilege, 
that on the contrary, he rather stretched his prerogative and 
lent his aid to the commons, by issuing a proclamation, direct- 
ing the contumacious persons to be apprehended, and offered a 
reward for taking them. The king of England at that day, 
would not have ventured on the exercise of so much power : but 
the provincial governors took greater liberties, having naturally 
no respect for the people, but a great abundance for ministers. 
Doctor Franklin supposed that it was by the arbitrary proceed- 
ings of provincial governors and other crown officers, counte- 
nanced by their protectors in England, that the affections of the 
Americans to the mother country were daily diminishing; and 
their attachment to its government, in danger of being lost in 
the course of a few succeeding years. 

Governor Wright embarked for England on the 2nd of July 
1771, and did not return to Georgia until the 11th of February 
1773. During his absence, James Habersham, president of 
the council, exercised the executive functions. 

In 1772, a change was made in the ministry, from which 
it was hoped that America would derive some advantages, as a 
change could scarcely be made less favorable to the interest of 
the provinces. From the character of lord Dartmouth it was 
expected that he would oppose the arbitrary proceedings which 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1111. 221 

bad disgraced the former administration: but tbese pleasing- 
anticipations were not realized. 

Corresponding committees were nominated in all tbe colonies, 
and tbe crisis approached, when it was necessary for them to 
decide, whether they wonld submit to taxation by tbe British 
parliament, or make a stand for the support of their principles 
and meet the consequences. 

It was not tbe author's intention in this volume, to trespass 
upon tbe bounds of the revolutionary war, which produced an 
entire alteration in the affairs of this province, changed the 
form of its government from regal to representative, and united 
it with the other colonies in the establishment of freedom and 
independence. 



END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

OF THE LIFE OF 

GENERAL OGLETHORPE. 



lAMES EDWAKD OGLETHORPE, was the son of sir The- 
I ophilus Oglethorpe of Godahnen in the county of Surry, 
f lieutenant-colonel of the duke of York's troop of the king's 
horse-guards, a major-general of the army, and a member of 
parliament, by Eleanora his wife, daughter of Richard Wall of 
Ragane, in Ireland. He was born in the parish of St. James's 
the 21st of December 1698 :* his father and two of his brothers 
being in the army, he was educated with a view to that profes- 
sion, which he afterwards embraced. He was appointed an 
ensign in 1711, and in 1713 performed duty with that rank, at 
the proclamation of the peace at Utrecht. He was promoted to 
a captrain-lieutenancy of the queen's guards in 1715 : he after- 
wards employed himself in acquiring the art of war, under the 
famous prince Eugene, and other eminent commanders. He 



* In 1767, a pamphlet was published in England, entitled Frances Shaf- 
toe's narrative, containing an account of her being a servant in sir Theophi- 
lus Oglethorpe's family; and with all the illiterate simplicity of her station, 
states that the pretended prince of Wales was sir Theophihis's son; that 
she was sent to France and barbarously used to make her turn papist and 
nun, in order to prevent a discovery, but she made her escape to Switzer- 
land, and from thence returned to England. She says, "Ann Oglethorpe 
told me that the first pretended prince of Wales died of convulsion fits at 
the age of five or six weeks; but her mother had a little son some days 
older than the prince, and her mother took her little brother James, all in 
haste, and went to London, that her little brother and the prince were both 
sick together, and her little brother died, or icas lost, but that it was a 
secret between her mother and queen Mary." It is something extraordi- 
nary, if true, that there is no record of Oglethorpe's birth on the parish 
register, in conformity with a long established custom of Great-Britain; 
and I am indebted to the Encyclopaedia Perthensis, and the journal of a 
private gentleman in Georgia, where his birth day was celebrated, for the 
date which I have inserted. 



224 BIOGRAPHY OF 

was patronized by the dukes of Argyle and Marlborough, bj 
whose recommendations he acted as secretary and aid-de-camp 
to the prince, though at an early period of life, and stored np 
mnch useful knowledge. It was said that he was offered some 
preferment in the German service, where he might have ac- 
quired the station which his companion, marshal Keith, after- 
wards obtained: but with a man of his sentiments, the obliga- 
tions due to his country, and the services it required, were not 
to be dispensed with. 

From the time of prince Eugene's campaigns, the pacific dis- 
position of the powers of Europe, prevented the exercise of Ogle- 
thorpe's military talents for a considerable time: at length a 
field was opened in the western world, where he had an oppor- 
tunity of displaying them, and giving evidence of the feelings 
of his heart. 

He was appointed colonel of a regiment the 25th of August 
1737, with the rank of general and commander in chief over all 
the king's forces in Georgia and South-Carolina. It is said 
that he commanded the first regular force that was ever sta- 
tioned in America, and that he was the first general to whom a 
chief command had been given over two provinces. He was 
appointed brigadier-general in the British army, the 30th of 
March 1745, and major-general, the 13th of SejDtember 1747. 
He was elected member of parliament for Haslemere in Surry, 
in 1722, 1727, 1734, 1741 and 1747 ; and during that period 
many regulations in the laws of England, for the benefit of 
trade and for the public weal generally, were proposed and pro- 
moted by him. In 1728, finding a gentleman, to whom he paid 
a visit in the Fleet prison, loaded with irons and otherwise bar- 
barously used, he engaged in a philanthropic inquiry into the 
state of the prisoners and gaols in England ; where upon inves- 
tigation, facts, disgraceful to humanity, were developed. He 
moved in the house of commons, that a committee should be 
appointed to inquire into the state of the prisoners confined in 
the gaols of Great-Britain. A committee was accordingly ap- 



GENERAL OGLETHORPE. 225 

pointed, and Oglethorpe who was its chairman, reported in 
1729, several resolutions, which induced the house to attempt 
a redress of many flagrant abuses. 

Oglethorpe suggested a project for the consideration of a 
number of gentlemen, principally members of parliament, who 
lately had occasion to observe the miserable condition of prison- 
ers, confined in gaols for debt : moved with compassion for their 
relief, they judged that if they were settled in some of the new 
colonies in ]^orth America, they might, instead of being a bur- 
then and disgrace, be made beneficial to the nation. 

On the 15th of July 1732, he Avas vested with the functions 
of governor of Georgia, and in the ten succeeding years he 
crossed the Atlantic ocean six times, without fee or hope of 
reward, to forward his laudable design of settling the province. 
When he returned to England for the last time, in 1743, he 
took with him an Indian boy, son of one of the chiefs, who re- 
ceived a pretty liberal education and returned to Georgia a pol 
ished man; and when he went into the Creek nation, consider- 
able expectations were entertained from his influence in plant- 
ing the seeds of civilization amongst his countrymen; but he 
soon returned to his native habits. 

General Oglethorpe, complimented colonel ]SJ"oble Jones with 
his portrait in a neat frame, representing his Indian pupil 
standing by his side reading: it was lost when Savannah was 
captured by the British forces in December 1778. 

In 1745, he accompanied the duke of Cumberland into Scot- 
land, which was his last military expedition. On the 29th of 
August 1744, he married Eliza,* daughter of sir Nathan 
Wright, bart. an heiress. 

* Verses enclosed to a lady in Charleston, soon after Oglethorpe's mar- 
riage; who inquired when he would return to America. 

" The fairest of Diana's train, 
For whom so many sigh'd in vain. 
Has bound him in her silken chain, 
From whence he'll ne'er get loose again. 
15 



1326 BIOGRAPHY OF 

At the commencement of the American revolution, General 
Oglethorpe, being the senior officer of sir William Howe, and 
now grown old in military fame without sullying his laurels, 
had the prior offer of the command of the forces apointed to 
subdue the colonies. He agreed to accept the appointment on 
condition the ministry would authorise him to assure the colo- 
nies, that justice should be done them. His proposal at once 
appeared the result of humanity and equity ; he declared that — 
"He knew the "people of America well ; that they never would 
be subdued by arms, but that their obedience would ever be 
secured by doing them justice."* A man with these ideas was 
not a fit instrument for the designs of the British government: 
he was therefore, agreeably to his own request, permitted to re- 
main at home, where he was a quiet spectator of the folly of 
his country through a seven years war with the colonies. 

General Oglethorpe passed the eve of his life in easy retire- 
ment, at the seat of his wife at Grantham hall, in Essex, where 
he died the 30th of June, 1785, in the 87th year of his age. 
He had been seventy-four years in the British army, and at his 

The son of Jove and Venus knew, 
Who bravely fought, could nobly woo. 
And howsoe'er he dared in fight, 
Was forc'd to yield to lovely Wright. 

Both charming, graceful, equal, fair, 
Love glorying in so bright a pair; 
Fortune and nature both together. 
Have left no vacant wish for either. 

He, noble, generous and brave; 
She, all the virtues wise men crave. 
With manly judgment too beside, 
As e'er made hero happy bride. 

Help, youths and virgins, help to sing. 
The prize which Hymen now does bring: 
I too my feeble voice will raise: 
To name but Oglethorpe, is praise." 

* British Annual Register. 



GENERAL OGLETHORPE. 227 

death, he was said to have been the oldest officer in the king's 
service. His moderation and the simplicity of his whole de- 
portment, his prudence, virtue, delight in doing good, real re- 
gard to merit, unaffected simplicity in all his actions, great 
knowledge and experience, generous care and concern for his 
fellow creatures, his mercy and benevolence, will admit of but 
few parallels in the history of human life. 

More can be said of general Oglethorpe, than of the subject 
of any other prince in Europe : he founded the province of 
Georgia in America ; he lived to see it flourish, and become of 
consequence to the commerce of Great Britain ; he saw it in a 
state of resistance, and at length beheld it independent of its 
mother country; and of great political importance in one quar- 
ter of the globe. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

OF THE LIFE OF 

LADY HUNTINGDON 

SELINA SHIRLEY, countess-dowager of Himtingdon, 
merits particular notice in the history of Georgia. This 
eminently pious lady, the second daughter of Washington 
Shirley, the second earl of Ferrars, was born in lYOT, and mar- 
ried Theophilus earl of Huntingdon in 1728, by whom she had 
four sons and three daughters. After a dangerous illness she 
was impressed with a serious turn of mind, and on her recovery 
she devoted her whole time, fortune and attention, to religion 
and charity ; to the utter astonishment of all the fine ladies of 
the gay fashionable world. She became the generous patroness 
of the celebrated preacher Mr. Whitefield, and the calvinistic 
methodists in general : she opened her house in Park-street, Lon- 
don, for the preaching of the gospel, and erected chapels in 
various parts of the kingdom: she also built and endowed a 
college in Wales, for the purpose of educating serious young 
men for the ministry. She left a large donation to the Orphan- 
house in Georgia, and aided Mr. Whitefield considerably in 
founding that laudable institution. It is said that at different 
periods of her life, she appropriated at least one hundred thou- 
sand pounds sterling for the propagation of the gospel, and to 
institutions for the relief of the poor. A portrait of that 
amiable woman as large as life, is still preserved by the com- 
missioners of the Orphan-house. Her labors through life were 
unwearied, her charities and liberality extensive, and her whole 
deportment humble, meek and pious: she died in 1791, in the 
eighty-fourth year of her age. 



APPENDIX. 

No. 1. — Refer to page 8. 

George the second, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, 
France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, and so forth. 
To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting. 

Whereas we are credibly informed, that many of our poor 
subjects are, through misfortunes and want of employment, re- 
duced to great necessity, insomuch as by their labor they are 
not able to provide a maintenance for themselves and families ; 
and if they had means to defray their charges of passage, and 
other expences, incident to new settlements, they would be glad 
to settle in any of our provinces in America ; whereas by culti- 
vating the lands, at present waste and desolate, they might not 
only gain a comfortable subsistence for themselves and families, 
but also strengthen our colonies and increase the trade, naviga- 
tion and wealth of these our realms. And whereas our provinces 
in ISTorth America, have been frequently ravaged by Indian ene- 
mies ; more especially that of South-Carolina, which in the late 
war, by the neighboring savages, was laid waste by fire and 
sword, and great numbers of English inhabitants, miserably 
massacred, and our living subjects who now inhabit them, by 
reason of the smallness of their numbers, will in case of a new 
war, be exposed to the late calamities ; inasmuch as their whole 
southern frontier continueth unsettled, and lieth open to the 
said savages — And whereas we think it highly becoming our 
crown and royal dignity, to protect all our loving subjects, be 
they never so distant from us ; to extend our fatherly compas- 
sion even to the meanest and most infatuated of our people, and 
to relieve the wants of our above mentioned poor subjects; and 
that it will be highly conducive for accomplishing those ends, 
that a regular colony of the said poor people be settled and es- 
tablished in the southern territories of Carolina, And whereas 
we have been well assured, that if we will be graciously pleased 



230 APPENDIX. 

to erect and settle a corporation, for the receiving, managing 
and disposing of the contributions of our loving subjects ; divers 
persons would be induced to contribute to the purposes afore- 
said — Know ye therefore, that we have, for the considerations 
aforesaid, and for the better and more orderly carrying on of 
the said good purposes ; of our special grace, certain knowledge 
and mere motion, willed, ordained, constituted and appointed, 
and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do will, 
ordain, constitute, declare and grant, that our right trusty and 
well beloved John lord-viscount Purcival, of our kingdom of 
Ireland, our trusty and well beloved Edward Digby, George 
Carpenter, James Oglethorpe, George Heathcote, Thomas 
Tower, Eobert Moore, Robert Hucks, Roger Holland, William 
Sloper, Francis Eyles, John Laroche, James Vernon, William 
Beletha, esquires, A. M. John Burton, B, D. Richard Bundy, 
A. M. Arthur Bedford, A. M. Samuel Smith, A. M. Adam 
Anderson and Thomas Corane, gentlemen; and such other per- 
sons as shall be elected in the manner herein after mentioned, 
and their successors to be elected in the manner herein after di- 
rected ; be, and shall be one body politic and corporate, in deed 
and in name, by the name of the Trustees for establishing the 
colony of Georgia in America ; and them and their successors by 
the same name, we do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and 
successors, really and fully make, ordain, constitute and declare, 
to be one body politic in deed and in name forever ; and that by 
the same name, they and their successors, shall and may have 
perpetual succession ; and that they and their successors by that 
name shall and may forever hereafter, be persons able and 
capable in the law, to purchase, have, take, receive and enjoy, 
to them and their successors, any manors, messuages, lands, tene- 
ments, rents, advowsons, liberties, privileges, jurisdictions, 
franchises, and other hereditaments whatsoever, lying and being 
in Great Britain, or any part thereof, of whatsoever nature, 
kind or quality, or value they be, in fee and in perpetuity, not 
exceeding the yearly value of one thousand pounds, beyond re- 



APPENDIX. 231 

prises ; also estates for lives, and for years, and all other manner 
of goods, chattels and things whatsoever they be ; for the better 
settling and supporting, and maintaining the said colony, and 
other uses aforesaid ; and to give, grant, let and demise the said 
manors, messuages, lands, tenements, hereditaments, goods, chat- 
tels and things whatsoever aforesaid, by lease or leases, for term 
of years, in possession at the time of granting thereof, and not 
in reversion, not exceeding the term of thirty-one years, from 
the time of granting thereof ; on which in case no fine be taken, 
shall be reserved the full, and in case a fine be taken, shall be 
reserved at least a moiety of the value that the same shall rea- 
sonably and ho7\a fide be worth at the time of such demise ; and 
that they and their successors, by the name aforesaid, shall and 
may forever hereafter, be persons able, capable in the law, to 
purchase, have, take, receive and enjoy, to them and their suc- 
cessors, any lands, territories, possessions, tenements, jurisdic- 
tions, franchises and hereditaments whatsoever, lying and being 
in America, of what quantity, quality or value whatsoever they 
be, for the better settling and supporting and maintaining the 
said colony ; and that by the name aforesaid they shall and may 
be able to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer and 
be answered unto, defend and be defended, in all courts and 
places whatsoever, and before whatsoever judges, justices, and 
other officers, of us, our heirs and successors, in all and singular 
actions, plaints, pleas, matters, suits and demands, of what 
kind, nature or quality soever they be ; and to act and to do, 
all matters and things in as ample manner and form as any 
other oiir liege subjects of this realm of Great Britain, and 
that they and their successors forever hereafter, shall and may 
have a common seal, to serve for the causes and businesses of 
them and their successors ; and that it shall and may be lawful 
for them and their successors, to change, break, alter and make 
new the said seal, from time to time, and at their pleasure, and 
as they shall think best. And we do further grant, for us, our 
heirs and successors, that the said corporation, and the common 



232 APPENDIX. 

council of the said corporation, hereinafter by us appointed, 
may from time to time, and at all times, meet about their affairs 
when and where they please, and transact and carry on the 
business of the said corporation. And for the better execution 
of the purposes aforesaid, we do, by these presents, for us, our 
heirs and successors, that they and their successors forever, may 
upon the third tuesday in the month of March, yearly, meet at 
some convenient place to be appointed by the said corporation, 
or major part of them who shall be present at any meeting of 
the said corporation, to be held for the appointing of the said 
l^lace ; and that they, or two thirds of such of them, that may be 
present at such yearly meeting, and at no other meeting of the 
said corporation, between the hours of ten in the morning and 
four in the afternoon of the same day, choose and elect such 
person or persons to be members of the said corporation, as they 
shall think beneficial to the good designs of the said corporation. 
And our further \vill and pleasure is, that if it shall happen 
that any persons hereinafter by us appointed as the common 
council of the said corporation, or any other persons to be elected 
or admitted members of the said common council in the man- 
ner hereafter directed, shall die, the common council shall be 
increased to twenty-four ; and that the same assembly at which 
such additional members of the said corporation shall be chosen, 
there shall likewise be elected, in the manner herein before di- 
rected for the election of common council-men, nine persons to 
be the said common council-men, and to make up the number 
twenty-four. And our further will and pleasure is, that our 
trusty and well beloved Edward Digby, esquire, shall be the 
first chairman of the common council of the said corporation ; 
and that the said lord-viscount Purcival shall be, and continue, 
president of the said corporation, and that the said Edward 
Digby shall be and continue chairman of the common council 
of the said corj^oration, respectively, until the meeting which 
shall be had next and immediately after the first meeting of 
the said corporation, or of the common council of the said cor- 



APPENDIX. 233 

poration respectively, and no longer; at which said second meet- 
ing, and every other subsequent and future meeting of the said 
corporation or of the common council of the said corporation 
respectively, in order to preserve an indifferent relation of the 
several offices, of president of the corporation, and of chairman 
of the common council of the said corporation we do direct and 
ordain that all and every the person and persons, members of 
the said common council for the time being, and no other, being 
present at such meetings, shall severally and respectively in 
their turns, preside at the meetings which shall from time to 
time be held of the said corporation, or of the common council 
of the said corporation respectively: and in case any doubt or 
question shall at any time arise touching or concerning the right 
of any member of the said common council to preside at any 
meeting of the said corporation, or at the common council of the 
said corporation, the same shall respectively be determined by 
the major part of the said corporation respectively, who shall 
be present at such meeting. Provided always, that no mem- 
ber of the said common council having served in the offices of 
president of the said corporation, or of chairman of the com- 
mon council of the said corporation, shall be capable of being, 
or of serving as president or chairman at any meeting of the 
said corporation, or common council of the said corporation 
next and immediately ensuing that in which he so served as 
president of the said corporation or chairman of the said com- 
mon council of the said corporation respectively ; unless it shall 
so happen that at any such meeting of the said corporation, 
there shall not be any other member of the said common council 
present. And our will and pleasure is, that at all and every 
of the meetings of the said corporation', or of the common coun- 
cil of the said corporation, the president or chairman for the 
time being, shall have a voice and shall vote, and shall act as a 
member of the said corporation, at such meeting ; and in case 
of any equality of votes, the said president or chairman for the 
time beins;, shall have a castins; vote. And our further will and 



234 APPENDIX. 

pleasure is, that no president of the said corporation, or chair- 
man of the common council of the said corporation, or member 
of the said common council or corporation, by us by these 
presents appointed, or hereafter from time to time to be elected 
and appointed in manner aforesaid, shall have, take, or receive, 
directly or indirectly, any salary, fee, perquisite, benefit or 
profit whatsoever, for or by reason of his or their serving the 
said corporation, or president, chairman or common council- 
men, or as being a member of the said corporation. And our 
will and pleasure is, that the said herein before appointed presi- 
dent, chairman or common council-men, before he and they act 
respectively as such, shall severally take an oath for the faithful 
and due execution of their trust, to be administered to the presi- 
dent by the chief baron of our court of exchequer, for the time 
being, and by the president of the said corporation to the rest 
of the common council, who are hereby authorised severally and 
respectively, to administer the same. And our will and pleasure 
is, that all and every person and persons, who shall have in his 
or their own name or names, or in the name or names of any 
person or persons in trust for him or them, or for his or their 
benefit, place, office or employment or profit, under the said cor- 
poration, shall be incapable of being elected a member of the 
said corporation ; during such time as he shall be continued a 
member thereof, shall in his o^vn name or in the name of any 
person or persons, in trust for him or for his benefit, have, hold 
or exercise, accept, possess or enjoy, any office, place or employ- 
ment of profit under the said corporation, or under the common 
council of the said corporation — such member shall from the 
time of his having, holding, exercising, possessing and enjoying 
such office, place and employment of profit, cease to be a mem- 
ber of the said corporation. And we do for us, our heirs and 
successors, or the major part of such of them as shall be present 
at any meeting of the said corporation, convened and assembled 
for that purpose by a convenient notice thereof, shall have 
power from time to time, hereafter to authorize and appoint 



APPENDIX. 235 

such persons as they shall think fit to take subscriptions, and 
to gather and collect such money as shall be by any person or 
persons contributed for the purpose aforesaid ; and shall and 
may revoke and make void such authorities and appointments, 
as often as they shall see cause so to do. And we do hereby for 
us, our heirs and successors, ordain and direct, that the said 
corporation every year lay an account in writing before the 
chancellor, speaker, or commissioners, for the custody of the 
great seal of Great Britain, of us, our heirs and successors ; and 
the chief justice of the court of common pleas, and the chief of 
the exchequer of our heirs and successors for the time being, or 
any two of them ; of all monies and effects by them received or 
expended, for the carrying on the good purposes aforesaid. 
And we do hereby, for us, our heirs and successors, give and 
grant unto the said corporation, and their successors, full power 
and authority to constitute, ordain and make, such and so many 
by-laws, institutions, orders and ordinances, as to them, or the 
greater part of them, at their general meeting for that purpose, 
shall deem necessary and convenient for the well ordaining and 
governing of the said corporation; and the said by-laws, con- 
stitutions, orders and ordinances, or any of them, to alter and 
annul, as they or the major part shall see requisite : and in and 
by such by-laws, rules, orders and ordinances, to sell, impose 
and inflict, reasonable pains and penalties upon any offender or 
offenders, who shall transgress, break or violate the said by- 
laws, constitutions, orders and ordinances, so made as aforesaid, 
and to mitigate the same as they or the major part of them then 
present shall think convenient ; which said pains and penalties, 
shall and may be levied, sued for, taken, retained and recovered, 
by the said corporation and their successors, by their officers and 
servants, from time to time, to be appointed for that purpose, by 
action of debt, or by any other lawful ways or means, to the use 
and behoof of the said corporation and their successors, all and 
singular: which by-laws, constitutions, orders and ordinances, 
pains and penalties, from time to time so made and imposed, 



236 APPENDIX. 

and reasonable and not contrary or repugnant to the laws or 
statutes of this our realm ; and that such by-laws, constitutions 
and ordinances, pains and penalties, from time to time to be 
made and imposed, and any repeal or alteration thereof, or any 
of them, may be likewise agreed to or established and confirmed 
by the said general meeting of the said corporation, to be held 
and kept next after the same shall be respectively made. And 
whereas the said corporation intend to settle a colony, and to 
make an habitation and plantation on that part of our province 
of South-Carolina, in America, herein after described — Know 
ye, that we greatly desiring the happy success of the said cor- 
poration, for their further encouragement in accomplishing so 
excellent a work have of our foresaid grace, certain knowledge 
and mere motion, given and granted by these presents, for us, 
our heirs and successors, do give and grant to the said corpo- 
ration and their successors under the reservation, limitation and 
declaration, hereafter expressed, seven undivided parts, the 
whole in eight equal parts to be divided, of all those lands, coun- 
try and territories, situate, lying and being in that part of South- 
Carolina, in America, which lies from the most northen part of 
a stream or river there, commonly called the Savannah, all along 
the sea coast to the southward, to the southern stream of a cer- 
tain other great water or river called the Alatamaha, and west- 
wardly from the heads of the said rivers respectively, in direct 
lines to the south seas ; and all that share, circuit and precinct 
of land, within the said boundaries, with the islands on the sea, 
lying opposite to the eastern coast of the said lands, within 
twenty leagues of the same, which are not inhabited already, or 
settled by any authority derived from the crown of Great- 
Britain : together with all the soils, grounds, havens, ports, gulfs 
and bays, mines, as well royal mines of gold and silver, as other 
minerals, precious stones, quarries, woods, rivers, waters, fish- 
ings, as well royal fishings of whale and sturgeon as other fish- 
ings, pearls, commodities, jurisdictions, royalties, franchises, 
privileges and pre-eminences, within the said frontiers and the 



APPENDIX. 237 

precincts thereof and thereunto, in any sort belonging and ap- 
pertaining, and which we by onr letters patent may or can 
grant, and in as ample manner and sort as we may or any our 
royal progenetors have hitherto granted to any company, body 
politic or corporate, or to any adventurer or adventurers, under- 
taker or undertakers, of any discoveries, plantation or traffic, 
of, in, or into any foreign port whatsoever ; and in as legal and 
ample manner, as if the same were herein particularly men- 
tioned and expressed: to have, hold, possess and enjoy, the said 
seven undivided parts, the whole into eight equal parts, to be 
divided as aforesaid, of all and singular the lands, countries 
and territories, with all and singular other the premises herein 
before by these presents granted or mentioned, or intended to be 
granted to them, the said corporation, and their successors for- 
ever, for the better support of the said colony, to be holden of 

us, our heirs and successors, as of our honorable , of 

Hampton-court, of our courts of Middlesex in free and com- 
mons socage, and not in capite, yielding, and paying therefor 
to us, our heirs and successors yearly forever, the sum of eleven 
shillings for every hundred acres of the said lands, which the 
said corporation shall grant, demise, plant or settle ; the said 
payment not to commence or to be made, until ten years after 
such grant, demise, planting or settling; and to be answered 
and paid to us, our heirs and successors, in such manner and in 
such species of money or notes, as shall be current in payment, 
by proclamation from time to time in our said province of 
South-Carolina. All which lands, countries, territories and 
premises, hereby granted or mentioned, and intended to be 
granted, we do by these presents, make, erect and create one in- 
dependent and separate province, by the name of Georgia, by 
which name we will, the same henceforth be called. And that 
all and every person or persons, who shall at any time hereafter 
inhabit or reside within our said province, shall be, and are 
hereby declared to be free, and shall not be subject to be bound 
to obey any laws, orders, statutes and constitutions, which have 



238 APPENDIX. 

been heretofore made, ordered or enacted by, for, or as, the laws, 
orders, statutes or constitutions of our said province of South- 
Carolina, (save and except only the command of the militia,) 
of our said province of Georgia, to our governor for the time 
being of South-Carolina, in manner hereafter declared; but 
shall be subject to, and bound to obey, such laws, orders, stat- 
utes and constitutions as shall from time to time be made, or- 
dered and enacted, for the better government of the said prov- 
ince of Georgia, in the manner heretofore declared. And we 
do hereby, for our heirs and successors, ordain, will and estab- 
lish, that for and during the term of twenty-one years, to com- 
mence from the date of these our letters patent, the said corpo- 
ration assembled for that purpose, shall and may form and pre- 
pare, laws, statutes and ordinances, fit and necessary for and 
concerning the government of the said colony, and not repug- 
nant to the laws and statutes of England ; and the same shall 
and may present under their common seal to us, our heirs and 
successors, in our or their privy council for our or their appro- 
bation or disallowance: and the said laws, statutes and ordi- 
nances being approved of by us, our heirs and successors, in our 
or their privy council, shall from thence forth be in full force 
and virtue within our said province of Georgia. And foras- 
much as the good and prosperous success of the said colony, can 
not but chiefly depend, next under the blessing of God, and the 
support of our royal authority, upon the provident and good 
direction of the whole enterprise, and that it will be too great a 
burthen upon all the members of the said corporation to be con- 
vened so often as may be requisite, to hold meetings for the 
settling, supporting, ordering, and maintaining the said colony ; 
therefore we do will, ordain and establish, that the said common 
council for the time being, of the said corporation, being as- 
sembled for that purpose, or the major part of them, shall from 
time to time, and at all times hereafter, have full power and 
authority to dispose of, extend and apply all the monies and 
effects belonging to the said corporation, in such manner and 



APPENDIX. 239 

ways and by such expenses as they shall think best to conduce to 
the carrying on and effecting the good purposes herein men- 
tioned and intended : and also shall have full power in the name 
and on account of the said corporation, and with and under their 
common seal, to enter under any covenants or contracts, for 
carrying on and effecting the purposes aforesaid. And our fur- 
ther will and pleasure is, that the said common council for the 
time being, or the major part of such coiinnon council, which 
shall be present and assembled for that purpose, from time to 
time, and at all times hereafter, shall and may nominate, con- 
stitute and appoint a treasurer or treasurers, secretary or secre- 
taries, and such other officers ministers and servants of the said 
corporation as to them or the major part of them as shall be 
present, shall seem proper or requisite for the good manage- 
ment of their affairs ; and at their will and pleasure to displace, 
remove and put out such treasurer or treasurers, secretary or 
secretaries, and all such other officers, ministers and servants, 
as often as they shall think fit so to do ; and others in the room, 
office, place or station of him or them so displaced, removed or 
put out, to nominate constitute and appoint ; and shall and may 
determine and appoint, such reasonable salaries, perquisites and 
other rewards, for their labor, or service of such officers, ser- 
vants and persons as to the said common council shall seem 
meet : and all such officers servants and persons shall, before 
the acting in their respective offices, take an oath to be to them 
administered by the chairman for the time being of the said 
common council of the said corporation, who is hereby author- 
ised to administer the same, for the faithful and due execution 
of their respective offices and places. And our will and pleas- 
ure is, that all such person and persons, who shall from time to 
time be chosen or appointed treasurer or treasurers, secretary or 
secretaries of the said corporation, in manner herein after di- 
rected, shall during such times as they shall serve in the said 
offices respectively, be incapable of being a member of the said 
corporation. In case any member shall die, or shall by writing 



240 APPENDIX. 

under his or their hands respectively resign his or their office or 
offices of common council-man or common council-men ; the said 
corporation, or the major part of such of them, as shall be 
present, shall and maj at such meeting, on the said third tues- 
day in March yearly, in manner as aforesaid, next after such 
death or resignation, and at no other meeting of the said cor- 
poration, into the room or place of such person or persons, so 
dead or so resigning, elect and choose one or more such person 
or persons, being members of the said corporation as to them 
shall seem meet : and our will is, that all and every person or 
persons which shall from time to time hereafter be elected com- 
mon council-men of the said corporation as aforesaid, do and 
shall, before he or they act as common council-men of the said 
corporation, take an oath for the faithful and due execution of 
their office; which oath the president of the said corporation for 
the time being, is hereby authorised and required to administer 
to such person or persons elected as aforesaid. And our will 
and pleasure is, that the first president of the said corporation, 
is and shall be our trusty and well beloved the said John lord 
Viscount Purcival ; and that the said president shall, within 
thirty days after the passing this charter, cause a summons to be 
issued to the several members of the said corporation, herein 
particularly named, to meet at such time and place as he shall 
appoint, to consult about and transact the businesses of the said 
corporation. And our will and pleasure is, and we, by these 
presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant, ordain and 
direct, that the common council of this corporation, shall consist 
of fifteen in number; and we do by these presents, nominate, 
constitute and appoint, bur right trusty and well beloved, John, 
lord-viscount Purcival, our trusty and well beloved, Edward 
Digby, George Carpenter, James Oglethorpe, George Heathcote, 
Thomas Laroche, James Vernon, William Beletha, esquires, and 
Stephen Hales, M. A. to be the common council of the said cor- 
poration, to continue in the said office during their good be- 
haviour. And whereas it is our royal intention, that the mem- 



APPENDIX. 241 

bers of the said corporation should be increased by election, as 
soon as conveniently may be, to a greater number than is hereby 
nominated. Our further will and pleasure is, and we do hereby, 
for us, our heirs and successors, ordain and direct, that the 
number of the members shall not increase so as to exceed twenty- 
four. And we do further of our special grace, certain knowl- 
edge and mere motion, for us, our heirs and successors, grant, 
by these presents, to the said corporation and their successors, 
that it shall be lawful for them and their officers or agents, at 
all times hereafter, to transport and convey out of our realm 
of Great-Britain, or any other our dominions, into the said 
province of Georgia, to be there settled ; and so many of our 
loving subjects, or any foreigners that are willing to become 
our subjects, and live under our allegiance, in the said colony, 
as shall be willing to go to, inhabit, or reside there, with suffi- 
cient shipping, armour, weapons, powder, shot, ordnance, muni- 
tion, victuals, merchandise and wares, as are esteemed by the 
wild people ; clothing implements, furniture, cattle, horses,, 
mares, and all other things necessary for the colony, and for the 
use and defence and trade with the people there, and in passing 
and returning to and from the same. Also we do, for ourselves 
and successors, declare, by these presents, that all and every the 
persons which shall happen to be born within the said province, 
and every of their children and posterity, shall have and enjoy 
all liberties, franchises and immunities of free denizens and 
natural born subjects, within any of our dominions, to all in- 
tents and purposes, as if abiding and born within this our king- 
dom of Great-Britain, or any other dominion. — And for the 
greater care and encouragement of our loving subjects and such 
others as shall come to inhabit in our said colony, we do by these 
presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant, establish and 
ordain, that forever hereafter there shall be a liberty of con- 
science allowed in the worship of God, to all persons inhabiting, 
or which shall inhabit or be resident within our said province, 
and that all such persons, except papists, shall have a free exer- 
16 



242 APPENDIX. 

cise of religion, so they be contented with the quiet and peace- 
able enjoyment of the same, not giving offence or scandal to the 
government. And our further will and pleasure is, and we do 
hereby for us, our heirs and successors, declare and grant, that 
it shall and may be lawful for the said common council, or the 
major part of them assembled for that purpose, in the name of 
the corporation, and under the common seal, to distribute, con- 
vey, assign and set over such particular portions of lands, tene- 
ments and hereditaments by these presents granted to the said 
corporation, unto such our loving subjects, natural born, deni- 
zens or others that shall be willing to become our subjects, and 
live under one allegiance in the said colony, upon such terms, 
and for such estates, and upon such rents, reservations and con- 
ditions as the same may be lawfully granted, and as to the said 
common council, or the major part of them so present, shall 
seem fit and proper. Provided always that no grants shall be 
made of any part of the said lands unto any person, being a 
member of the said corporation, or to any other person in trust, 
for the benefit of any member of the said corporation ; and that 
no person having any estate or interest, in law or equity, in any 
part of the said lands, shall be capable of being a member of 
the said corporation, during the continuance of such estate or 
interest. Provided also, that no greater quantity of lands be 
granted, either entirely or in parcels, to or for the use, or in 
trust for any one person, than five hundred acres ; and that all 
grants made contrary to the true intent and meaning hereof, 
shall be absolutely null and void. And we do hereby grant and 
ordain, that such person or persons, for the time being as shall 
be thereunto appointed by the said corporation, shall and may 
at all times, and from time to time hereafter, have full power 
and authority to administer and give the oaths, appointed by 
an act of parliament, made in the first year of the reign of our 
late royal father, to be taken instead of the oaths of allegiance 
and supremacy ; and also the oath of abjuration, to all and 
every person and persons which shall at any time be inhabiting 



APPENDIX. 243 

or residing within our said colony ; and in like cases to adminis- 
ter the solemn affirmation to any of the persons commonly called 
quakers, in snch manner as by the laws of onr realm of Great- 
Britain, the same may be administered. And we do, of our 
further grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, grant, estab- 
lish and ordain, for us, our heirs and successors, that the said 
corporation and their successors, shall have full power and au- 
thority, for and during the term of twenty-one years, to com- 
mence from the date of these our letters patent, to erect and 
constitute judicatures and courts of record, or other courts, to 
be held in the name of us, our heirs and successors ; for hearing 
and determining of all manner of crimes, offences, pleas, pro- 
cesses, plaints, actions, matters, causes and things whatsoever, 
arising or happening, within the said province of Georgia, or 
between persons of Georgia ; whether the same be criminal or 
civil, and whether the said crimes be capital or not capital, and 
whether the said pleas be real, personal or mixed: and for 
awarding and making out executions thereupon, to which courts 
and judicatures, we do hereby, for us, our heirs and successors, 
give and grant full power and authority, from time to time, to 
administer oaths for the discovery of truth in any matter in 
controversy, or depending before them, or the solemn affirma- 
tion, to any of the persons commonly called quakers, in such 
manner, as by the laws of our realm of Great-Britain, the same 
may be administered. And our further will and pleasure is, 
that the said corporation and their successors, do from time to 
time, and at all times hereafter, register or cause to be regis- 
tered, all such leases, grants, plantings, conveyances, settle- 
ments, and improvements whatsoever, as shall at any time 
hereafter be made by, or in the name of the said corporation, of 
any lands, tenements or hereditaments within the said province ; 
and shall yearly send and transmit, or cause to be sent or trans- 
mitted, authentic accounts of such leases, grants, conveyances, 
settlements and improvements respectively, into the auditor of 
the plantations for the time being, of our said province of South- 



244 APPENDIX. 

Carolina ; to whom we do hereby grant full power and authority 
from time to time, as often as need shall require, to inspect and 
survey, such of the said lands and premises, as shall be demised, 
granted and settled as aforesaid : which said survey and inspec- 
tion, we do hereby declare, to be intended to ascertain the quit- 
rents which shall from time to time become due to us, our heirs 
and successors, according to the reservation herein before men- 
tioned, and for no other purposes whatsoever ; hereby for us, 
our heirs and successors, strictly enjoining and commanding, 
that neither our or their surveyor, or any person whatsoever, 
under the pretext and colour of making the said survey or in- 
spection, shall take, demand or receive, any gratuity, fee or re- 
ward, of or from, any person or persons, inhabiting in the 
said colony, or from the said corporation or common council of 
the same, on the pain of forfeiture of the said office or affairs, 
and incurring our highest displeasure. Provided always, and 
our further will and pleasure is, that all leases, grants and con- 
veyances to be made by or in the name of the said corporation, 
of any lands within the said province, or a memorial containing 
the substance and effect thereof, shall be registered with the 
auditor of the said plantations, of us, our heirs and successors, 
within the space of one year, to be computed from the date 
thereof, otherwise the same shall be void. And our further 
will and pleasure is, that the rents, issues and other profits, 
which shall at any time hereafter come to the said corporation, 
or the major part of them which shall be present at any meeting 
for that purpose assembled, shall think will most improve and 
enlarge the said colony, and best answer the good purposes 
herein before mentioned, and for defraying all other charges 
about the same. And our will and pleasure is, that the said 
corporation and their successors, shall from time to time give 
in to one of the principal secretaries of state, and to the com- 
missioners of trade and plantations, accounts of the progresses of 
the said colony. And our will and pleasure is that no act done 
at any meeting of the said common council of the said corpora- 



APPENDIX. 245 

tion, shall be effectual and valid, unless eight members at least 
of the said common council, including the member who shall 
serve as chairman at the said meeting, be present, and the 
major part of them consenting thereunto. And our will and 
pleasure is, that the common council of the said corporation 
for the time being, or the major part of them who shall be 
present, being assembled for that purpose, shall from time to 
time, for, and during, and unto the full end and expiration of 
twenty-one years, to commence from the date of these our let- 
ters patent, have full power and authority to nominate, make, 
constitute and commission, ordain and appoint, by such name 
or names, stile or stiles, as to them shall seem meet and fitting, 
all and singular such governors, judges, magistrates, ministers 
and officers, civil and military, both by sea and land, within the 
said districts, as shall by them be thought fit and needful to be 
made or used for the said government of the said colony ; save 
always, and except such offices only as shall by us, our heirs aud 
successors, be from time to time constituted aud appointed, for 
the managing and collecting and receiving such revenues, as 
shall from time to time arise within the said province of Geor- 
gia, and become due to us, our heirs and successors. Provided 
always, and it is our will and pleasure, that every governor of 
the said j^rovince of Georgia, to be appointed by the common 
council of the said corporation, before he shall enter upon or 
execute the said office of governor, shall be approved by us, our 
heirs or successors, and shall take such oath, and shall qualify 
himself in such manner, in all respects, as any governor or com- 
mander in chief of any of our colonies or plantations in America, 
are by law required to do; and shall give good and sufficient 
security for observing the several acts of parliament relating to 
trade and navigation, and to observe and obey all instructions 
that shall be sent to him by us, our heirs and successors, or any 
acting under our or their authority, pursuant to the said acts, 
or any of them. And we do by these presents for us, our heirs 
and successors, will, grant and ordain, that the said corporation 



246 APPENDIX. 

and their successors, shall have full power for and during and 
until the full end and term of twenty-one years, to commence 
from the date of these our letters patent, by any commander or 
other officer or officers, by them for that purpose from time to 
time appointed, to train and instruct, exercise and govern a 
militia, for the special defence and safety of our said colony, 
to assemble in martial array, the inhabitants of the said colony, 
and to lead and conduct them, and with them to encounter, 
expulse, repel, resist and pursue, by force of arms, as well by 
sea as by land, within or without the limits of our said colony ; 
and also to kill, slay and destroy, and conquer by all fighting 
ways, enterprizes and means whatsoever, all and every such per- 
son or persons as shall at any time hereafter, in any hostile man- 
ner, attempt or enterprize the destruction, invasion, detriment 
or annoj'ance of our said colony ; and to use and exercise the 
martial law in time of actual war and invasion or rebellion, in 
such cases, where by law the same may be used or exercised ; 
and also from time to time to erect forts, and fortify any place 
or places within our said colony, and the same to furnish with 
all necessary ammunition, provisions and stores of war, for 
offence and defence, and so commit from time to time the cus- 
tody or government of the same, to such person or persons as to 
them shall seem meet : and the said forts or fortifications to de- 
molish at their pleasure; and to take and surprize, by all ways 
and means, all and every such per^son or persons, with their 
ships, arms, ammunitions and other goods, as shall in an hostile 
manner, invade or attempt the invading, conquering or annoy- 
ing of our said colony. And our will and pleasure is, and we 
do hereby, for us, our heirs and successors, declare and grant, 
that the governor and commander in chief of the province of 
South-Carolina, of us, our heirs and successors, for the time 
being, shall at all times hereafter have the chief command of 
the militia of our said province, hereby erected and established ; 
and that such militia shall observe and obey all orders and di- 
rections, that shall from time to time be given or sent to them 



APPENDIX. 247 

by the said governor or commander in chief ; any thing in these 
presents before contained to the contrary hereof, in any wise 
notwithstanding. And, of our more special grace, certain knowl- 
edge and mere motion, we have given and granted, and by these 
presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant, 
unto the said corporation and their successors, full power and 
authority to import and export their goods, at and from any 
port or ports that shall be appointed by us, our heirs and succes- 
sors, within the said province of Georgia, for that purpose, 
without being obliged to touch at any other port in South- 
Carolina. And we do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and 
successors, will and declare, that from and after the termination 
of the said term of twenty-one years, such form of government 
and method of making laws, statutes and ordinances, for the 
better governing and ordering the said province of Georgia, and 
the inhabitants thereof, shall be established and observed within 
the same, as we, our heirs and successors, shall hereafter ordain 
and appoint, and shall be agreeably to law; and that from and 
after the determination of the said term of twenty-one years, 
the governor of our said province of Georgia, and all officers 
civil and military, within the same, shall from time to time be 
nominated and constituted, and appointed by us, our heirs and 
successors. And lastly, we do hereby, for us, our heirs and suc- 
cessors, grant unto the said corporation and their successors, 
that these our letters patent, or the enrolments or exemplifica- 
tion thereof, shall be in and by all things good, firm, valid, sufii- 
cient and effectual in the law, according to the true intent and 
meaning thereof, and shall be taken, construed and adjudged, 
in all courts and elsewhere in the most favorable and beneficial 
sense, and for the best advantage of the said corporation and 
their successors ; any omission, imperfection, defect, matter or 
cause, or thing whatsoever to the contrary, in any wise notwith- 
standing. In witness, we have caused these our letters to be 
made patent: witness ourselves at Westminster, the ninth day 
of June 1732, in the fifth year of our reign. 

By writ of privy-seal. Cooks. 



248 APPENDIX. 

No. 2. — Refer to page 36. 

The trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia, in America, 
to the chief men of the nation of the lower Creeks, send 
greeting : 

Whereas the great king George the second, king of Great- 
Britain ; did by his letters patent under the great seal of Great- 
Britain, bearing date the ninth day of June, in the 5th year of 
his reign, constitute and appoint a body politick and corporate 
by the name of the trustees for establishing the colony of Geor- 
gia in America. And whereas the said trustees have received 
from their beloved Mr. James Oglethorpe of West-Brook-Place, 
in the county of Surry esquire, one of the common council of 
the said trustees, a copy of certain articles of friendship and 
commerce between the said trustees and the said chief men, 
which is in the words following (that is to say,) articles of 
friendship and commerce between the trustees for establishing 
the colony of Georgia in America, and the chief men of the 
nation of the lower Creeks. 

First — The trustees bearing in their hearts great love and 
friendship to you the said head men of the lower Creek nation, 
do engage to let their people carry up into your towns all kinds 
of goods fitting to trade in the said towns, at the rates and prices 
settled and agreed upon before you the said head men, and 
annexed to this treaty of trade and friendship. 

Secondly — The trustees do by these articles promise to see 
restitution done to any of the people of your towns by the people 
they shall send among you ; proof being made to the beloved man 
they shall at any time send among you, that they who have 
either committed murder, robbery, or have beat or wounded 
any of your people, or any wise injured them in their crops by 
their horses, or any other ways whatever ; and upon such proof 
the said people shall be tried and punished according to the 
English law. 

Thirdly. — The trustees, when they find the hearts of you the 
said head-men and your people are not good to the people they 



APPENDIX. 249 

shall send among yon, or that yon or yonr people do not mind 
this paper, they will withdraw the English trade from the town 
so offending. And that yon and your people may have this 
chain of friendship in your minds and fixed to your hearts, they 
have made fast their seal to this treaty. 

Fourthly — We the head men of the Coweta and Cuseta towns, 
in behalf of all the lower Creek nation, being firmly persuaded, 
that he who lives in heaven and is the occasion of all good things, 
has moved the hearts of the trustees to send their beloved men 
among us, for the good of our wives and children, and to in- 
struct us and them in what is straight, do therefore declare that 
we are glad that their people are come here ; and though this 
land belongs to us, (the lower Creeks) yet we, that we may be 
instructed by them, do consent and agree, that they shall make 
use of and possess all those lands, which our nation hath not 
occasion to use: and we make over unto them, their successors 
and assigns, all such lands and territories as we shall have no 
occasion to use ; provided always, that they upon settling every 
new town, shall set out for the use of ourselves, and the people 
of our nation, such lands as shall be agreed upon between their 
beloved men, and the head men of our nation, and that those 
lands shall remain to us forever. 

Fifthly — We the head-men do promise for ourselves and the 
people of our towns, that the traders for the English, which shall 
settle among us, shall not be robbed or molested in their trade 
in our nation ; and that if it shall so happen, any of our people 
should be mad, and either kill, wound, beat or rob any of the 
English traders or their people, then we the said head-men of 
the to%vns aforesaid, do engage to have justice done to the Eng- 
lish, and for that purpose to deliver up any of our people who 
shall be guilty of the crimes aforesaid, to be tried by the English 
laws, or by the laws of our nation, as the beloved man of the 
trustees shall think fit. And we further promise not to suffer 
any of the people of our said towns, to come into the limits of 
the English settlements, without leave from the English beloved 



250 APPENDIX. 

man, and that we will not molest any of the English traders 
passing to or from any nation in friendship with the English. 

Sixthly — We the head-men, for ourselves and people, do 
promise to apprehend and secure any negro or other slave, which 
shall runaway from any of the English settlements to our na- 
tion, and to carry them either to this town, or Savannah or 
Palachuekola garrison, and there to deliver him up to the com- 
mander of such garrison, and to be paid by him four blankets 
or two guns, or the value thereof in other goods ; provided such 
runaway negro or other slave, shall be taken by us or any of our 
people on the farther side of Oconee river ; and in case such 
negro or runaway slave, shall be taken on the hither side of the 
said river, and delivered to the commanders aforesaid, then we 
understand the pay to be one gun or the value thereof; and in 
case we or our people should kill any such slave for resistance 
or running away from us in apprehending him, then we are to 
be paid one blanket for his head, by any trader, for carrying 
such slaves head unto him. 

Lastly — We promise with stout hearts and love to our broth- 
ers the English, to give no encouragement to any other white 
people but themselves, to settle amongst us, and that we will not 
have any correspondence with the Spaniards or French, and to 
show that we both for the good of ourselves, our wives and chil- 
dren, do firmly promise to keep the talk in our hearts, as long 
as the sun shall shine or the waters run in the rivers. We have 
each of us set the marks of our families. 

Schedule of the prices of goods agreed on, annexed: 

Two yards of stroud Five buck-skins. 

One yard of plains One ditto. 

White blanket Five ditto. 

Blue ditto Three ditto. 

A gun Ten ditto. 

A pistol Five ditto. 

A gun lock Four ditto. 

Two measures of powder One ditto. 



APPENDIX. 251 

Sixty bullets „ One buck-skin. 

One white shirt Two ditto. 

One knife One doe-skin. 

Eighteen flints One buck-skin. 

Three yards of cadiz One doe-skin. 

Ditto ditto of gartering Ditto ditto. 

One hoe Two buck-skins. 

One axe Ditto ditto. 

One large hatchet Three doe-skins. 

One small ditto One buck-skin. 

Brass kettles per lb Ditto ditto. 

Doe-skins were estimated at half the value of the bucks. 

And whereas the said trustees are greatly desirous to main- 
tain and preserve an inviolable peace, friendship and commerce 
between the said head-men of the lower nation of Creeks, and 
the people of the said trustees, have sent and shall send to in- 
habit and settle in the province of Georgia aforesaid, to endure 
to the worlds end. 

Now know ye, that we the said trustees for establishing the 
colony of Georgia in America, do by these presents, ratify and 
confirm the said articles of friendship and commerce, between 
the trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia in America, 
and the chief men of the lower Creeks, and all and every of the 
articles and agreements therein contained, and also the rates 
and prices of goods above mentioned, settled and agreed upon 
before the said head-men, and annexed to the said treaty of 
trade and friendship. In witness whereof, the common coun- 
cil of the said trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia 
in America, have to these presents made fast the common seal 
of the corporation of the said trustees, the eighteenth day of 
October, in the seventh year of the reign of our sovereign lord, 
George the second, by the grace of God, of Great-Britain, 
France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c. and in the 
year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty-three. 

By order of the said common council. 

Benjamin Martyn, Secretary. 



252 APPENDIX. 

No. 3. — Refer to page llfl. 

Proceedings of the assembled estates of all the lower Creeh na- 
tion, on Saturday, the eleventh day of August, one thousand 
seven hundred and thirty-nine. 

BY powers from his most sacred majesty George the second, 
by the grace of God, king of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, 
&c. General James Oglethorpe being appointed commissioner, 
was present in behalf of his majesty, and opened the assembly 
by a speech. There was also present at the said assembly of 
estates, Mico or chief king of the Coweta town, Chickeley 
Xenia Mico, of the said town, Malatche Mico, son of Brim, late 
emperor of the Creek nation, and the chiefs and warriors of the 
Coweta town, and the Mico or king of the Cusetas, and Schish- 
eligo Mico, next to the king of the Cusetas ; Iskegio, third chief 
man of the Cusetas, and the other chief men and warriors of 
the said town ; and also Ochaohapko, one of the chief men of the 
town of Palachuckolas : Killatee, chief war captain, and other 
chief men and warriors, being deputies sent with full powers 
to conclude all things for the said town — Towmawme Mico of 
the Ufawles, with several other chief men and warriors being 
deputies sent with full powers to conclude all things for the 
said towns — Matalcheko was captain of the Echeetees, with 
several other chief men and warriors, being sent with full pow- 
ers to conclude all things for the said town — Neathaklo, chief 
man of the Owichees, with several other chief men and war- 
riors, being dej^uties sent with full powers to conclude all things 
for the said town — Occullaviche, chief man of the Chehaws, 
with several other chief men and warriors, being deputies sent 
with fall powers to conclude all things for the said town — 
Hewanawge Thaleekeo, chief man of the Oakmulgee, with sev- 
eral of the chief men and warriors, being deputies sent with 
full powers to conclude all things for the said to^\m — The Mico, 
king of the Oconees, with several chief men and warriors, hav- 
ing full powers to conclude all things for the said town — Nea- 



APPENDIX. 253 

chackelo, second chief man of the Swagles, with several other 
chief men and warriors, being deputies sent with full powers 
to conclude all things for the said town. 

The said estates being solemnly held in full convention, by 
general James Oglethorpe, on behalf of the trustees of the one 
part, and the kings, chiefs and warriors aforesaid, on the other 
part, according to the forms, religion and customs, transmitted 
down by their ancestors. The whole estates declared by gen- 
eral consent, without one negative, that they adhered to their 
ancient love to the king of Great-Britain, and to their agree- 
ment made in the year 1733, with the trustees, for establishing 
the colony of Georgia in America, a counterpart of which 
agreement was then delivered to each town, and the deputies 
of the several towns produced the same: and the said estates 
further declared, that all the dominions, territories and lands 
from the river Savannah to the river St. John's, and all the is- 
lands between the said rivers ; and from the river St. John's 
to the bay of Appalache, within which is the Appalache Old- 
tields ; and from the said bay of Appalache to the mountains, 
doth by ancient right belong to the Creek nation, who have main- 
tained possession of the said right against all opposers, by war, 
and can show the heaps of bones of their enemies, slain by them 
in defence of the said lands. And they further declare, that 
the said Creek nation, hath for ages had the protection of the 
kings and queens of England, and have gone to war by com- 
missions from the governors, appointed by the said kings and 
queens of England ; and that the Spaniards nor no other nation, 
have a right to any of the said lands, and that they will not 
suffer them or any other persons (excepting the trustees for 
establishing the colony of Georgia in America) to settle upon 
the said lands. And they do acknowledge the grant they have 
already made to the trustees, establishing the colony of Georgia 
in America, of the lands upon Savannah river, as far as the 
river Ogechee, and all the lands along the sea coast, as far as 
the river St. John's, and as high as the tide flows, and all the 



254 APPENDIX. 

islands as far as the said river, particularly the islands of 
Frederica, (meaning St. Simon's) Cumberland and Amelia, to 
which they have given the names of his majesty, king George's 
family, out of gratitude to him. But they declare that they did 
and do reserve to the Creek nation, the lands from Pipe makers 
Bluff to Savannah, and the islands of St. Catharine's, Osabaw 
and Sapelo. And they further declare, that all the said lands 
are held by the Creek nation as tenants in common. 

The said commissioners doth declare that the English shall 
not enlarge or take any other land, except those granted as 
above by the Creek nation to the trustees, and doth promise and 
covenant that he will punish any person that shall intrude upon 
the lands which the corporation hath reserved as above. 

Given under my hand and seal, at the Coweta town, this 
twenty-first day of August, anno domini, 1739. 

James Oglethokpe. 

By James Oglethorpe, esquire, general and commander in 
chief of all his majesty's forces in South-Carolina and Geor- 
gia, dec. To all his majesty's subjects to whom these pres- 
ents shall come, greeting: 

KISTOW YE, that you are not to take up or settle any land 
beyond the above limits, settled by me with the Creek nation, 
at their estates held on Saturday, the eleventh day of August, 
anno domini, 1739: as you shall, through me, at your peril an- 
swer. 

Given under my hand and seal, at the Coweta town, this 
twenty-first day of August, anno domini, 1739. 

James Oglethokpe. 



APPENDIX. 255 

No. 4. Refer to page 214. 
Frederica in Georgia, December 14th 1747. 
"KNOW all men by these presents, that we, Simpeopy war- 
king, of the Cowetas ; Thlockpalahi, head warrior of the said 
town ; Moxumgi, king of the Etchitas ; Iswige, head warrior of 
the Etchitas, and Actithilki, beloved man of the said town; 
Ciocoliche, king of Osuchees ; Appalya and Isehaboagy, beloved 
men of J^ipky, and Himmopacohi, warriors of the said town ; 
Tokeah, war-king of the Chehaws ; Whyanneachi and Etowah, 
warriors of the said town; Mahelabbi, beloved man of the 
Cusetas, and Scheyah, warrior of the said town ; and Estcho- 
thalleachi Yahnlla Mico, of the Tiskugas: having full power 
by the laws of our nation, to conclude every thing for the towns 
we represent, do hereby acknowledge Malatche Opiya Mico, to 
be our rightful and natural prince. And we likewise further 
acknowledge that by the laws of our nation, we think ourselves 
obliged to stand by, ratify and confirm, every act and deed of 
his, as much as if we ourselves were present, and we therefore 
make this public declaration to all subjects of the crown of 
Great-Britain, that Malatche Opiya Mico has full power and 
authority as our natural prince, to transact all affairs relating 
to our nation, as firmly and fully, to all intents and purposes, 
as we the whole nation might or could do if present. In con- 
firmation of which presents, we have hereunto set our hands, 
and affixed our seals in behalf of the different towns we repre- 
sent, the day and date above written." 

Signed and sealed in presence of 
Alexander Heron, Thomas Wat.ker, John Calwell, 
Patrick Houstoun, James Mackay, Thomas Clemens. 

The above was signed and sealed by the Indians whose names 
are therein mentioned, proved by Alexander Heron, before 
Charles Wright, a justice of the peace in South-Carolina, on the 
2ud of January 1748, and recorded in the secretaries office of 
that state, in book G. G. folio 239, by William George Ereeman, 
deputy-secretary of state. 



THE 

HISTORY OF GEORGIA. 



[VOLUME II.] 

CHAPTER I. 

THE spirit of resistance to the encroachments of the 
crown of Great-Britain, on the rights of the provinces 
in America, was increased by every revenual act of par- 
liament, imposed upon the colonies. These provinces having 
been planted under the auspices of a free constitution, which 
extended its benefits and paternal care to every subject in the 
British empire ; the Americans, considered themselves of right, 
free from taxation until they were represented in parliament. 
The ministers of that government having yielded some points 
in the repeal of duties, such as the stamp act, an opposition of 
more decision was made against the artful introduction of 
minor duties, which were imposed upon glass, paper, tea and 
painter's colours. Eemonstrances having been resorted to with- 
out success, the colonies associated in opposition to the intro- 
duction of all British manufactures, subject to taxation by the 
laws of England. The points of taxation were again yielded, 
with the exception of three-pence sterling per pound upon tea. 
This increased the confidence of the colonists and encouraged 
further opposition. They alledged that they had given, and 
would continue to give, aid to his majesty when constitutionally 
required ; but an assemblage of American patriots insisted that 
their essential liberty and happiness, required that they should 
be taxed, only, by representatives of their own choice ; and that 
they, being consumers of British manufactures, paid by the^ 
purchase of them all the taxes which that government had a 
right to impose. 
17 



258 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1773. 

Luxury had made but little progress among the people of this 
quarter of the globe, and the extermination of every seed of its 
baleful influence, was an object of primary consideration in a 
new settled country, under existing circumstances. The exer- 
cise of a moderate portion of freedom and the free use of those 
rights to which they considered themselves constitutionally en- 
titled as British subjects, with the necessaries of life produced 
by industry, appears to have amounted to the summit of their 
wishes. 

The resolutions of the American Congress, had rendered the 
tax upon tea a barren branch of revenue, until a scheme was 
adopted by the East India Company, for the exportation of a 
large quantity of that article, to be disposed of on their own 
account, in the American ports. This measure produced that 
kind of commotion, from one end of the continent of America 
to the other, which the contrivers of the plan might have fore- 
seen. These and many other similar designs, which have been 
noticed by almost every American historian, created a jealousy 
and hatred against Great-Britain. 

For the purpose of uniting in some general plan of opera- 
tions in this critical state of affairs, with the other provinces 
in America, a meeting was called in Savannah. But the power- 
ful arm of the royal government in the hands of a man of Sir 
James Wright's sagacity and talents, at the head of an influ- 
ential train of civil officers, prohibited an open expression of 
the public sentiment. Many of the most wealthy inhabitants, 
foresaw, that their pecuniary ruin would be the inevitable con- 
sequence of participating with the other colonies, in resistance 
to the aggressions of the crown. Another class composed of 
the dissipated and idle, who had little or nothing to risk, per- 
ceived their advantage in adhering to the royal government. A 
wide field for pillage would be opened, and the strong hold of 
St. Augustine in East Florida, would furnish a safe and secure 
retreat for themselves, and a deposit for their booty, in the 
event of a revolution. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177S. 259 

In the year 1770 an inhabitant of Sonth-Carolina, by the 
name of Schoval or Schovil ; active, barbarons and of bad char- 
acter; was commissioned as colonel of militia, by Lord Gren- 
ville, the governor of that province. The banditti who became 
the followers of such a leader, were denominated Schovilites; 
and in the first years of the revolution, this term of reproach 
was indiscriminately given to the adherents of the royal gov- 
ernment, in the southern provinces. But in the progress of 
things they received the more appropriate denomination of 
Tories ; which means loyalists, admirers of taxation to support 
sumptuously an host of placemen and pensioners. By the 
British and the friends of royalty, the American republicans, 
were denominated rebels. 

The royal insurgents before mentioned, under the pretence 
of quelling the rebellion, had committed many outrageous dep- 
redations, and rendered themselves so obnoxious to a great ma- 
jority of the people, that many of them were compelled to flee 
their country, and take refuge in East-Florida, and among the 
different tribes of Indians. These banditti, and others of the 
same description who fled from Georgia, were well calculated 
to scourge the province and awaken the greatest anxieties for 
the safety of their helpless families, in case the militia should 
take an active part against them. Georgia was charged in the 
first instance by the other colonies, with being tardy and inde- 
cisive ; but the charge of inactivity vanishes, when the sword 
and hatchet are held over the heads of the actors to compel them 
to lie still. 

Sir James Wright, governor of Georgia, in conjunction with 
John Stuart, superintendant of Indian affairs in the southern 
department, called a convention of the Cherokees and Creeks 
at Augusta, on the 1st of June,* where they voluntarily ceeded 
to Great-Britain, a large tract of their territories, which these 
tribes requested might be accepted as a compensation for debts, 

* Look at the top of each page for the year, when the month only is 
mentioned. 



260 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1773. 

due bj them to the traders, which they were otherwise unable 
to pay. Governor Wright wa^ not vested with authority to ac- 
cept this cession of land by the powers of his executive appoint- 
ment in Georgia ; but, foreseeing the advantages to the province, 
and the influence which would be given to the king's govern- 
ment, by the control of the funds which would arise from the 
sale of those lands, he had previously applied to the ministry 
for leave to make the treaty; and out of the proceeds of sales, 
to pay George Galphin and others, the large demands which 
they had for goods against the different tribes of Indians. By 
having the control of these funds, Wright had the power, and 
exercised it, of paying the loyal subjects the full amount of 
their demands; and of withholding payment, from such as he 
deemed favorably disposed toward the American cause. 

The same partiality was evidenced in the disposition of the 
lands. Galphin and many others who opposed the measures 
of the British government, never received any compensation, 
though their demands were to a very large amount, and the 
justice of their claims indisputable. 

For the policy practised by Wright in changing the direc- 
tion of this fund into a measure for the support of his govern- 
ment, and for other political measures which he adopted, the 
order of knighthood is said to have been conferred upon him. 
He was a man of considerable talents, great industry, very 
avaricious and devoted to the measures of his king. 

The tract of country included in this transfer, north-west of 
Little river, and the head waters of Ogechee, was fertile and 
healthy, and consequently soon invited a number of settlers 
from the other provinces. Governor Wright digested a plan 
of settlement and appointed colonel Bartlet, Messrs. Young, 
Holland and Maddox, commissioners ; and vested them with 
powers to dispose of tracts of land to such persons as should 
apply — allowing two hundred acres to the head of each family, 
and fifty acres to each of its members brought into the prov- 
ince — comprehending wives, children and negroes — and pay- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, nU- 261 

ing five pounds sterling for entrance money, for every hundred 
acres. When this sum was paid, a warrant was granted, upon 
which the survey was made. The commissioners were author- 
ised to value each tract, agreeably to its quality, not exceeding 
five shillings per acre. Land courts were opened in Septem- 
ber at Augusta ; and at the confluence of Broad and Savannah 
rivers, where captain Thomas Waters' company was garrisoned 
in fort James. A town was soon after laid off at this fort called 
Dartmouth, now Petersburgh; and several plantations were , 
opened in its vicinity. 

During the session of the assembly in Savannah in Septem- 
ber, a law was passed, forming the tract of country between the 
Alatamaha and St. Mary's rivers, into four parishes, to be 
known by the names of St. David, St. Thomas, St. Patrick and 
St. Mary. These parishes were afterward represented in the 
provincial legislature, according to their population. The 
other provinces had appointed agents to the court of Great- 
Britain, to represent their wants and wishes, and to remon- 
strate against such acts of the crown, as had become oppressive 
to the American colonies, and to oppose the introduction of any 
new species of taxation at variance with the constitution. Many 
of the provinces had confided this trust to doctor Benjamin 
Franklin, and during the session above-mentioned, he was ap- 
pointed for the same purposes from this province, and a fund 
was appropriated to meet the expenses of the mission. Gray 
Elliott, an inhabitant of this province, was appointed to act as 
an assistant to doctor Pranklin, and to communicate the wishes 
of the assembly in person. He was also vested with the same 
powers which had been confided to doctor Franklin, in case of 
his absence, or of vacancy in the office to which he had been 

appointed. 

These measures did not meet with the approbation of gov- 
ernor Wright, as this duty was specially confided to the execu- 
tive, and properly became his business : he did not, however, feel 
disposed to irritate the public mind, by an interference with 



262 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177Jf. 

what was claimed, and generally believed to be a constitutional 
right ; therefore, he only advised another course, which, he said, 
would be more likely to succeed. 

When the peace of the county was Histurbed by Indian war- 
fare, it was generally to be attributed to the improper conduct 
of the Indian trading-houses, and persons in their employ. An 
extensive trading-house had been established at Pensacola, under 
the firm of Panton and Lessly; and it was believed, that their 
interest prompted them to cherish the evil disposition of the 
Indians, toward the people of Georgia, and to draw the Indian 
trade from this province to their o^\ti establishment. It was 
suggested to governor Wright, that that house had offered re- 
wards for scalps of the people of Georgia; and that in conse- 
quence, of such reward being proffered, several scalps were 
actually taken from the head of one white man. Governor 
Wright remonstrated against this abominable and inhuman 
practice, and it was afterward discontinued. 

The Quakers, who had been driven from their settlements 
on the south side of Little river in 1751, had returned to their 
farms, and had made considerable progress in agriculture. 
These people are valuable inhabitants of a country in a state 
of peace, but the most useless in time of war. The settlements 
on the ceded lands, on Ogechee, and north of Little river, in- 
creased in numbers beyond the most sanguine expectation ; but 
in January, they were invaded by a party of Creek Indians, 
who attacked Sherrill's fort, in which there were five white 
men, three negro men and twelve women and children. About 
nine o'clock in the morning, the Indians approached secretly, 
and fired upon the people, where they were at work on the fort. 
Sherrill and two others fell on the first fire; the remainder re- 
treated into the houses, where they were encouraged to make 
good their defence, by the bravery and example of one of the 
negro men, who rushed out upon an Indian and shot him 
through the head. The Indians set fire to the fort and houses 
in three places, but fortunately it was extinguished. Two men 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, mi,. 263 

of the neighbourhood heard the firing, and approached so near 
the fort as to be discovered bj the Indians, and were pursued, 
but they escaped and gave notice of the attack to captain Bar- 
nard, who collected about forty men and advanced to their re- 
lief. Barnard attacked the Indians in the rear, and compelled 
them to retreat into a swamp. In the fort, seven persons were 
killed, and five wounded. Five Indians were killed, but the 
number wounded was not known, as they were carried oif by 
their companions. 

A few days afterward a skirmish took place, in which twenty- 
five white men were engaged against one hundred and fifty 
Indians. Grant, Weatherford, Hammond and Ayers, were 
killed, and one man wounded, who died next day at Wrights- 
boro'. The Indians burned several forts and houses, which 
had been abandoned by the inhabitants. Captain Few and lieu- 
tenants Williams and Bishop, collected a party of men and 
buried the bodies of those who were slain in the recent action. 
Lieutenant Samuel Alexander, collected a few militia and pur- 
sued a small party of Indians, who were separated from the 
main body, and on the succeeding day, attacked and defeated 
them : two Indians were killed. Colonel Rae, who was an agent 
of Indian affairs, threatened Alexander with punishment for 
having taken such rash measures without authority ; but on 
being fully informed of the circumstances, he was convinced 
of the necessity of them. He conjectured that when the whole 
of these transactions were explained to the Chiefs of the nation, 
they would view the provocation in its proper light, and ac- 
quiesce in the justness of the retaliation. 

This unexpected invasion of the settlements on the ceded 
lands, occasioned the settlers to retreat to places of greater 
security. On the Savannah and Little rivers, they constructed 
forts for the lodgment of their families and moveable property, 
and for places of retreat for the men in the event of being driven 
from their farms, on which they performed their labour in com- 
panies for mutual safety. 



264 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 111k. 

Mr. George Galphin, a principal agent for Indian affairs, 
despatched a messenger to the chiefs of the nation, to ascertain 
whether they were determined on war, or disposed to peace ; and 
to demand the reasons for the recent unprovoked attack. The 
chiefs disavowed the authority of the attack; and declarations 
of their pacific dispositions, toward the people of Georgia, were 
returned by the messenger. 

The Indian chief, called the big Elk, who was the leader of 
the savages in the attack on Sherrill's fort, finding that his 
own nation was not disposed for the war, went to the Cherokees, 
and invited them to join him against the white people. The 
Cherokees declined the invitation. In returning home, that 
chief, and his party, killed and scalped three white men. About 
the last of March, the head Turkey, a chief of the upper 
Creeks, accompanied by two other chiefs and an Indian trader, 
visited the lower towns to prevail on them to make peace with 
Georgia. He obtained their consent to visit the governor and 
make propositions. On his way, at Augusta, he was murdered, 
by one Thomas Fee, in revenge for a relation of his who had 
been murdered by the Indians, on the frontiers. Fee escaped 
into South-Carolina, where he was promised protection by some 
of the inhabitants. The governor of Georgia proclaimed a re- 
ward of one hundred pounds sterling, for apprehending and 
bringing him to punishment. He was arrested and lodged in 
the prison, at JSTinety-six, where he remained but a few days, 
when an armed party came in the night time, forced the prison, 
and released him. When the Indians heard that Fee was appre- 
hended, and in prison, a party of the chiefs came to Savannah 
to witness his execution; and were much displeased to learn 
that he had been forcibly released. The governor informed them 
that the proclamation was still in force, and that the governor 
of South-Carolina had offered a further reward of two hun- 
dred pounds, for apprehending him; and he hoped that Fee 
might yet be brought to suffer the punishment which his crime 
merited. The governor then stated to the chiefs, that within 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1774. 265 

four months, fifteen of his people had been killed without any 
provocation ; and that eleven more had been killed on Long- 
cane, in South-Carolina. He demanded of the chiefs, the blood 
of the Indians who had murdered those innocent people, and 
asked them with what propriety they could make a demand of 
that justice, which they were unwilling to render? He stated 
to them, that the king would grant him a sufficient force to ex- 
terminate their nation, if he required it ; but he did not wish 
for war, which he had evidenced to them by his pacific disposi- 
tion, and forbearance. — That they must change their plan, and 
not spill the blood of his innocent people for petty offences com- 
mitted by evil disposed persons ; and assured them, that when- 
ever they were aggrieved, he would give them satisfaction, by 
making proper reparation for injuries of which they might 
justly complain: and that if thereafter, the Indians were guilty 
of the murder of his people, or of robbing them of their prop- 
erty, he would make their nation atone for such offences. The 
Indians were conscious of their guilt, and promised to be peace- 
able for the future. When they were about to depart, the gov- 
ernor ordered captain Samuel Elbert with his company of 
grenadiers, to escort them through the settlements, to prevent 
mischief being done to them by the inhabitants. While the 
chiefs were absent from the nation, several war parties had 
marched to the frontiers of Georgia, where they committed sev- 
eral thefts, and murders. Some chiefs of the upper towns, 
came in soon afterward, and informed the governor, that they 
had sent out a party of their warriors, who had killed the leader 
and two of the men who had committed the recent depredations 
on the property and people of Georgia ; with which they ex- 
pressed a hope that he would be satisfied. 

During these Indian depredations and disputes, in which 
the attention of Georgia was deeply engaged, troops from Eng- 
land were landed in Boston, to enforce the operation of the of- 
fensive acts of the British parliament. Governor Wright had 
secured to the interest of the king, as many men of wealth, tal- 



266 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177 J^. 

ents and influence as he could find willing to hold offices. John 
Stuart, superintendant of Indian affairs, had taken the same 
precaution in the selection of his agents with the different 
tribes of Indians. The friends of the rights of the provinces 
were not unobservant of passing events. Henry Laurens, esq. 
and many other gentlemen of influence and talents in South- 
Carolina, inquired of their friends in Georgia, whether the tree 
of liberty had been planted and taken root, and whether the 
rice swamps between the Alatamaha and Savannah rivers, would 
be favourable to the culture of that valuable plant ? Observing 
that it had, already, been fostered to the westward of Augusta, 
notwithstanding the Indian hatchet had been made sharp by 
British influence and agency, and was held up ready to sever 
the roots from the trunk, as soon as it appeared in the bud. Cap- 
tain Lachlan M'Intosh, was warmly invited to step forward 
to aid with his experience and military talents, in support of 
the rights of the provinces, if arms should be resorted to for 
their vindication. This gentleman having been reared up under 
the patronage of general Oglethorpe, had attracted the atten- 
tion of the patriots toward him, as the commanding-officer in 
Georgia, in the event of the contest assuming a military form. 

Upon an examination of the American character from the 
first settlement of the country up to the present day, it has been 
tardy in its movements to engage in war ; and obstinate in the 
extreme, when roused into action. Every exertion is made to 
conciliate and appease in the first instance ; but when a stand 
is once taken, the points contended for, are never yielded. This 
trait of character is strongly marked in the progress of the 
revolutionary war: as the contest progressed, the demands of 
America were increased; the conciliatory offers of the British 
government, followed step by step, falling short of the demands 
which were made, until independence was declared, and a 
treaty acceded to upon equal terms. 

On the 14th of July the following publication appeared in 
the Georgia Gazette. "The critical situation to which the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177^. 267 

British colonies in America, are likely to be reduced, from the 
alarming and arbitrary impositions of the late acts of the 
British parliament respecting the town of Boston, as well as 
the acts that at present extend to the raising of a perpetual 
revenue, without the consent of the people or their representa- 
tives, is considered as an object extremely important at this 
critical juncture ; and particularly calculated to deprive the 
American subjects of their constitutional rights and liberties, 
as a part of the British empire. It is therefore requested, that 
all persons, within the limits of this province do attend at the 
liberty pole, at Tondee's tavern in Savannah, on Wednesday 
the 27th instant, in order that the said matters may be taken 
under consideration ; and such other constitutional measures 
pursued as may then appear to be most eligible." Signed, Noble 
W. Jones, Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun and George 
Walton. 

The friends to this publication, addressed letters to the differ- 
ent parts of the province, representing the arbitrary stretches 
of British power practised in the northern colonies, by which 
thousands of the American people had been most cruelly con- 
signed to poverty and ruin. That the axe had been laid at the 
root of the tree of their liberties ; — every privilege then, claimed 
as a birth-right, might soon be wrested from them by the same 
authority that blockaded the town of Boston. The sacred mode 
of trial by juries from the vicinage, would shortly be no more, 
the solemn charters would vanish like "the baseless fabric of a 
vision," while the iron hand of power would be severely felt 
throughout the American colonies. 

The talents of governor Wright's council, and all the friends 
of the British government in the province, were interested in 
favour of the aggressive measures of the parliament on the 
constitutional rights of the colonists, as British subjects. The 
papers of the day were filled with arguments against the Ameri- 
can procedure ; and the destruction of this colony was predicted 
as the inevitable consequence of taking any share in the com-"^ 



268 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177 Jf. 

mon cause. Georgia was represented as being surrounded by 
Indians under British control, who could quickly exterminate 
all opposition to the measures of the government. 

It is not amiss to give a brief sketch of the law which was 
entitled, an act for the impartial administration of justice, in 
the cases of persons questioned for any acts done by them in 
the execution of the law, or for the suppression of riots and 
tumults in the province of Massachusetts. In the preamble, 
which shows the intention and scope of the law ; it sets forth — 
that in the disordered state of that province, it was of the ut- 
most importance to the general welfare thereof, and the re- 
establishment of lawful authority, that neither the magistrates 
acting in support of the laws, nor any of his majesty's subjects, 
aiding and assisting them therein, in the suppression of riots 
and tumults raised in opposition to the execution of the laws 
and statutes of the realm — should be discouraged from the 
proper discharge of their duty by an apprehension, that in case 
of their being questioned for any act done therein, they might 
be liable to be brought to trial for the same before persons who 
did not acknowledge the validity of the laws in the execution 
thereof, nor of the authority of the magistrates, in support of 
whom such acts had been done. 

Agreeably to the declared intention of this law, it was en- 
acted, that if any bills of indictment should be found against 
any person for murder, or other capital offences, in the province 
of Massachusetts, and it should appear by information given 
upon oath to the governor, or lieutenant-governor, that the fact 
was committed by the person indicted, while he was either in 
the execution of his duty as a magistrate, in suppressing riots, 
or in support of the laws of revenue ; or that he was acting in 
his duty as an officer of the revenue ; or acting under the direc- 
tion and order of any magistrate for the suppression of riots, 
or for the carrying into effect the laws of the revenue ; or aid- 
ing and assisting in any of the purposes aforesaid: and if it 
should appear to the satisfaction of the said governor, or lieu- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, lllk- 269 

tenant-governor, that an indifferent trial could not be had within 
the province ; in that case it should be lawful that the indict- 
ment should be tried in some other of the colonies, or in Great- 
Britain. The plain inference to be drawn from this law was, 
that the king's officers and other servants were secured from 
punishment, while those who adhered to the American cause, 
had every thing to dread from its operation. 

According to the notice which has been heretofore men- 
tioned, a number of respectable freeholders and inhabitants 
met at the Watch-house, in Savannah, on the 2Yth of July. 

John Glenn, Esquire, was chosen chairman. Sundry letters 
and resolutions, received from the committees of correspondence, 
at Boston, Philadelphia, Annapolis, Williamsburgh, North- 
Carolina and Charleston, were presented and read. A motion 
was made, that a committee be appointed to draw up resolutions 
to be entered into by the inhabitants of this province, nearly 
similar to those of the northern provinces. A debate arose 
thereon, and the motion was carried by a large majority. It 
was resolved, that, the following gentlemen should constitute 
that committee, viz. John Glenn, John Smith, Joseph Clay, 
John Houstoun, Noble Wimberly Jones, Lyman Hall, William 
Young, Edward Telfair, Samuel Farley, George Walton, Joseph 
Habersham, Jonathan Bryan, Jonathan Cockran, George M'ln- 
tosh, Sutton Bankes, William Gibbons, Benjamin Andrew, 
John Winn, John Stirk, Archibald Bulloch, James Screven, 
David Zubly, Henry Davis Bourquin, Elisha Butler, William 
Baker, Parmenus Way, John Baker, John Mann, John Bene- 
field, John Stacy and John Morel. Several gentlemen objected 
to resolutions being immediately entered into, as the inhabi- 
tants of the distant parishes might not have had sufficient notice 
of their objects. It was therefore resolved, that the meeting 
be adjourned until the 10th of August ; and that the chairman 
should in the mean time, write to the different parishes and 
districts upon the subject, that it was expected they would send 
deputies to join the committee at that time ; and that the num- 



270 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1771^. 

ber of deputies be proportioned to the representatives usually 
sent to the general assembly. It was also resolved, that the 
resolutions agreed upon and entered into at the next meeting, 
by a majority of the said committee then met, should be deemed 
the sense of the inhabitants of this province. 

When these proceedings were made public through the 
medium of the press, they excited alarm. The governor called 
a meeting of the king's council, to consult with them what was 
best to be done. The proceedings of the persons who consti- 
tuted the meeting, were read, and a motion made to expel the 
honorable Jonathan Bryan from his membership in the coun- 
cil, because his name appeared among the members of the com- 
mittee. Mr. Bryan with patriotic indignation, informed them 
in a style peculiar to himself for its candour and energy, that 
he would "save them the trouble," and handed his resignation 
to the governor. 

Finding that lenient means would not avail, the governor 
determined to appeal to the law, and the force of his party. 
For this purpose, he issued the following proclamation: — 

"Georgia. 

"By his excellency, Sir James Wright, baronet, captain gen- 
eral, governor and commander in chief of his majesty's prov- 
ince of Georgia, chancellor, vice-admiral and ordinary of 
the same. 

"A PKOCLAMATIOK 

"Whereas, I have received information, that on Wednesday 
the 27th day of July last past, a number of persons, in conse- 
quence of a printed bill or summons, issued and dispersed 
throughout the province, by certain persons unknown ; did un- 
lawfully assemble together at the Watch-house in the town of 
Savannah, under colour or pretence of consulting together for 
the redress of public grievances, or imaginary grievances ; and 
that the persons so assembled for the purposes aforesaid, or 
some of them, are from and by their own authority, by a certain 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177J^. 271 

other hand bill issued and dispersed throughout the province, 
and other methods, endeavouring to prevail on his majesty's 
liege subjects to have another meeting on Wednesday the 10th 
instant, similar to the former, and for the purposes aforesaid; 
which summonses and meetings must tend to raise fears and 
jealousies in the minds of his majesty's good subjects. And 
whereas an opinion prevails and has been industriously propa- 
gated, that summonses and meetings of this nature are consti- 
tutional and legal; in order therefore that his majesty's liege 
subjects may not be misled and imposed upon by artful and 
designing men; I do, by and with the advice of his majesty's 
honorable council, issue this my proclamation, notifying that 
all such summonses and calls by private persons, and all as- 
sembling and meetings of the people, which may tend to raise 
fears and jealousies in the minds of his majesty's subjects, under 
pretence of consulting together for redress of public grievances, 
or imaginary grievances ; are unconstitutional, illegal and pun- 
ishable by law. And I do hereby require all his majesty's liege 
subjects within this province to pay due regard to this my 
proclamation, as they will answer the contrary at their peril. 
"Given under my hand, this fifth day of August, &c. 

JAMES WRIGHT. 

By his excellency's command, 

THOMAS MOODIE, Deputy-Secretary. 
God save the King." 

Agreeably to adjournment, a general meeting of the inhabi- 
tants took place on the 10th of August, to consider the state 
of the colonies in America ; when it was resolved that his ma- 
jesty's subjects in America were entitled to the same rights and 
immunities with their fellow-subjects in Great-Britain. That 
as protection and allegiance were reciprocal, and under the 
constitution, co-relative terms, the subjects in America had a 
clear and indisputable right, as well from the general laws of 
mankind, as from the ancient custom of the land, so often rec- 



272 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 111k- 

ognised, to petition the throne upon every emergency. That an 
act of parliament lately passed for blocking up the port and 
harbour of Boston, was contrary to their ideas of the British 
constitution — First, that in effect, it deprived the inhabitants 
of the use of their property ; secondly, that it was an ex post facto 
law, and indiscriminately blended as objects of punishment, 
the innocent with the guilty. That the act for abolishing the 
charter of Massachusetts, tended to the subversion of American 
rights generally; for beside those liberties which the original 
settlers brought over with them as their birthright, particular 
immunities were granted by these charters as inducements and 
means of settling the provinces : and they were of opinion that 
these charters could not be dissolved but by a voluntary surrender 
of the people, declared by their representatives. That the par- 
liament of Great-Britain had no right to tax the Americans 
without representation, and that every demand for the sup- 
port of government, should be by requisition made to the sev- 
eral houses of representatives. That it was contrary to natural 
justice and the law of the land, to transport any person to 
Great-Britain, or elsewhere, to be tried under indictment for a 
crime committed in any of the colonies ; as the party prose- 
cuted would thereby be deprived of the privilege of trial by his 
peers from the vicinage ; the injured perhaps deprived of legal 
reparation ; and both lose the full benefit of their witnesses. 
That they would concur with their sister colonies in every con- 
stitutional measure to obtain redress of grievances, and by every 
lawful means in their power maintain those inestimable bless- 
ings, for which they were indebted only to God and the consti- 
tution of their country. And that the committee appointed 
by the meeting of the inhabitants of this province on the 27th 
of the preceeding month, together with the deputies then pres- 
ent from the different parishes, should form a general commit- 
tee to act, and that any eleven or more of them should have full 
power to correspond with the committees of the several provinces 
upon the continent : and that copies of these resolutions as well 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1774. 273 

as all other proceedings, should be transmitted without delay 
to the committees of correspondence in the respective provinces. 

A committee was appointed to receive subscriptions for the 
suffering citizens in Boston, consisting of William Ewen, Wil- 
liam Young, Joseph Clay, John Houstoun, Noble Wimberly 
Jones, Edward Telfair, John Smith, Samuel Farley, and An- 
drew Elton Wells, Esquires. In a few hours, five hundred and 
seventy-nine barrels of rice were contributed, and shipped for 
that port. 

A few days after this meeting, another was called by governor 
Wright, to try the strength of his party ; intending to adopt his 
measures accordingly. About one third of the inhabitants in 
and near Savannah, including his council and other civil and 
military officers, met at the Court-house, and signed a dissent 
against the republican proceedings and a protest against their 
meeting, as being unconstitutional. Similar papers were 
placed in the hands of the governor's influential friends and 
sent in different directions over the country to obtain sub- 
scribers; allowing a sum of money to each of those persons, 
proportioned to the number of subscribers they obtained, and 
as a compensation for their services. Under these advantageous 
circumstances, the royal servants were successful in obtaining 
signatures from many timid men, who were favourably disposed 
to the American cause. The only press in the province at that 
day, was under the immediate influence and control of governor 
Wright, and warmly attached to the royal cause. The number 
of subscribers was magnified to a considerable majority of the 
provincial population. In some instances the number of sub- 
scribers exceeded the population of the parishes from whence 
they came ; and from others the signatures of men were affixed 
who had been dead many years. The printer was also charged 
with partiality to the royal government, in withholding facts 
from the public which would have given the true impression; 
which had a tendency to strengthen the British, and weaken 
the American cause. 
18 



274 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177J,. 

The republican party in America became disgusted with the 
plan of petitioning the king and parliament, the effects of which 
were generally a delay of one or two years ; and then, if any 
notice was taken of them, it was in terms so vague, as to require 
another year for explanation ; and then was made to mean any 
thing or nothing. In the mean time, some new burthens were 
imposed upon the provinces for the purpose of keeping them 
under the yoke of bondage; adding two grievances while they 
were removing one. It was evidently the policy of the British 
government, to keep this extensive country, growing fast in 
population, in complete subjection. To effect this purpose, the 
talents and cunning of the British ministry were incessantly 
employed. They strictly adhered to the right of taxation to 
produce a revenue ; but it was softened down, from motives of 
policy, until it had become unproductive. 

The new ministerial principles, were considered as a direct 
attack upon the rights and liberties of the colonists. A most 
violent ferment was every where excited, and resolutions were 
entered into, declaring those who refused their countenance 
and aid, to be inimical to the common interest of the country, 
and to be treated as enemies. Another act of parliament was 
passed essentially abridging the colonial privileges. The coun- 
cil heretofore elected by the general court of Massachusetts, was 
to be appointed by the ministry; and the provincial governors 
were vested' with the power of appointing and removing at 
pleasure the judges, attorney-generals, provost-marshals, jus- 
tices, sheriffs, and all other civil officers ; and the governors' sal- 
aries were fixed and paid by the crown, independant of the pro- 
vincial legislatures. The meetings of the people were ex- 
pressly forbidden, without leave having been previously ob- 
tained from the governors in writing, expressing the special ob- 
jects of such meeting ; and that no matter should be treated of, 
excepting the election of public officers, and the business ex- 
pressed in the governor's permission. Jurors who had been 
previously elected by the freeholders and inhabitants, were now 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177Jf. 275 

to be summoned and returned by the sheriffs of the several coun- 
ties, and the nomination of all the officers was vested in the 
king or his governors. If any offence vras committed in giving 
aid to the execution of the civil authority, the person so en- 
dieted, either for murder or any other offence deemed capital, 
might be tried in any other colony, or in Great-Britain, at the 
governor's pleasure. The people considered their chartered 
liberty, literally annihilated by a system so completely tyrani- 
cal. Resolutions in opposition to these arbitrary and uncon- 
stitutional measures were circulated with incredible dispatch, 
and excited universal indignation against the mother country. 



CHAPTER 11. 

A general congress had been proposed to meet annually, 
for the purpose of deliberating on such measures as the 
interest of the colonies might require ; and the commit- 
tees of correspondence were to communicate with them from the 
different provinces, recommending such measures as the gen- 
eral welfare of America required. 

At the annual election in Massachusetts, in May, thirteen 
members of the council were negatived by governor Gage, and 
he refused to suffer any business to be discussed by them, ex- 
cept the common matters of the province ; making it a court of 
form rather than substance. At an early period, the governor 
adjourned the court to meet in Salem, a place less populous, 
and controlled by the military. The house at length determined 
to take under consideration the differences which existed be- 
tween Great-Britain and the American colonies. They resolved 
that a meeting of several committees on the continent was 
highly expedient and necessary to consult upon the existing 
state of affairs, and the miseries to which the colonies must be 
reduced, by the operation of the offensive acts of parliament 
respecting America: and to deliberate and determine upon 
proper measures to be by them recommended to all the colonies 
for the recovery and establishment of their just rights and re- 
ligious and civil liberties : and the restoration of that union and 
harmony between them and Great-Britain, which was most 
ardently desired by all good men. Five persons were chosen 
in conformity with these resolutions in opposition to the gov- 
ernor's will, to meet the delegates from the other provinces at 
Philadelphia, or at such other place, as might be agreed upon. 
Accordingly the delegates of eleven provinces met in Philadel- 
phia on the 4th of September following. Sundry resolutions 
were entered into and transmitted to the provincial assemblies, 
which received general approbation. 

After a session of eight weeks they adjourned, warmly rec- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1115. 277 

ommending that another meeting should be held on the 10th 
of May next ensuing, and that deputies should be chosen at an 
early date in case their meeting should be previously required 
by any extraordinary change in the state of public affairs. 
Though the powers of this congress were merely advisory, yet 
their recommendations were more generally and effectually 
carried into execution, than the laws of the most subservient 
colonies under the king's government. Doctor Franklin had 
been required to attend a committee of the Lords Commissioners 
of trade and plantations in London; but his penetration soon 
enabled him to discover that he was disliked by the British gov- 
ernment; that his opinions embarrassed them, and that their 
measures were thwarted by his well founded arguments in 
favour of colonial redress. He perceived that all his petitions 
and complaints in behalf of the colonies, were so odious to the 
government, that even the organ of them was a partaker of the 
odium. He said he was at a loss to know how peace and union 
were to be restored and maintained between the different parts 
of the empire; grievances could not be redressed unless they 
were known, and they could only be represented through the 
medium of complaints and petitions: if presenting these was 
deemed offensive and the messenger treated with neglect and 
contempt, who would henceforth send petitions, or who would 
undertake the unpleasant task of delivering them ? It had al- 
ways been thought dangerous in governments to close the vents 
of grief: wise ones had generally received petitions with some 
indulgence, even when but slightly founded. Those who thought 
themselves injured by their rulers, were sometimes by mild and 
prudent answers, convinced of their error ; but when complaints 
were treated as crimes, the pleasurable expectations of hope 
were soon supplanted by the restive tumults of despair. 

A notice appeared in the Georgia Gazette, inviting a num- 
ber of gentlemen who were desirous of petitioning the king, as 
a last resort, for a repeal of the acts of parliament, imposing 
taxes without representation, on the 12th of January, at ten 



278 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 

o'clock, at Tondee's long-room, in Broughton-street ; where a 
petition was to be offered for their consideration. A number 
of respectable inhabitants accordingly convened and entered 
into resolutions that the legislature should be requested to for- 
ward their petition to the king to relieve them from the oppres- 
sions with which thej were burthened, and transmit it to Doc- 
tor Franklin in London. 

The mild and humble tenor of this instrument invited the 
signatures and influence of the most respectable men in the 
province. Indeed it had many advocates who were not favour- 
able to resistance by the colonies ; and, notwithstanding the ap- 
plication of an armed force, which was resorted to by the Brit- 
ish government ; many were unwilling, and absolutely refused 
going farther than a solicitation in humble terms for redress. 
The powerful talents of governor Wright and judge Stokes, 
and the influence they held over the royal servants, and many 
other inhabitants of wealth, talents and respectability, were with 
great difficulty over-balanced. The election which took place 
in January, produced the exertions of the opposing parties; 
and the uniform success of the candidates for the redress of 
grievances, fairly tested the opinion of the majority of the 
province. 

On the 18th of January the assembly convened in Savannah. 
The governor with his usual eloquence and force of reasoning, 
descanted largely on the ferment which existed in this, as well 
as in the other provinces, and the dreadful consequences which 
would result from their rebellious procedures ; threatening 
them with the strong arm of Great-Britain ; and that he appre- 
hended, their very extraordinary and violent measures would 
not only prevent a reconciliation, but involve all America in 
the most distressing calamities. He expressed gratification 
that this province had heretofore acted with prudence and 
mildness, compared with the others ; and hoped that they would 
not yield to the suggestions of designing men, overheated with 
passion, by entering into resolutions and measures expressly 



HISTORY OF GEOBGIA, 1775. 279 

contrary to law, and in oposition to their own peace, safety and 
happiness. He observed that their rights were dear to him, and 
that it should be his unremitted study to secure to them, their 
just claims : that he had presided over them for fourteen years, 
and had given them ample proof of his affection and regard. 
That it would give him pain to see the seeds of rebellion sown 
in a province, where he had so long resided, and which he had 
seen nourished by the crown at such vast expense. That they 
had been happy in avoiding Scylla, and he conjured them in 
the strongest terms to steer clear of Charybdis. He closed his 
address by calling their attention to their provincial concerns, 
and conjured them to avoid the discussion of the political mat- 
ters which had produced such a mania in the other provinces. 
The house of assembly in reply, lamented the unhappy di- 
visions; disapproved of violent and intemperate measures, and 
declared it to be their pride and glory to be constitutionally con- 
nected with Great-Britain by the closest and most endearing 
ties ; and that they dreaded nothing more than a dissolution 
of those ties. Yet, anxious for the welfare of their country and 
the interests of their posterity; their ardent wish was, that his 
majesty's American subjects might enjoy the rights and privi- 
leges of British subjects, as fully and effectually as the inhabi- 
tants of Great-Britain : and to that end it appeared highly neces- 
sary, that the constitutional rights of his American subjects, 
should be clearly defined and firmly established: that they 
might hold those inestimable blessings on such a footing as 
would unite the mother country and the colonies, by a recipro- 
cation of benefits, and on terms consistent with the spirit and 
true meaning of the constitution, and the honor, dignity and 
safety of the whole empire. They wished and hoped to see a 
matter of such importance taken up by the house on constitu- 
tional principles, not doubting that if such prudent and temper- 
ate measures were adopted by the legislatures of the several 
provinces, their wishes would soon be crowned with success, 
which might remove the unhappy divisions subsisting; bind 



280 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1715. 

« 

them to the mother country by the strongest ties of interest, 
love and gratitude, and establish the prosperity and power of 
the British empire, on a foundation which would last until 
time should be no more. But they considered that they must 
want sensibility indeed, not to feel the numerous grievances 
with which they had been oppressed, without calling for that 
redress, for which every good American contended. That it was 
the enjoyment of those rights and liberties which softened 
every care of life and rendered existence itself supportable. At 
the same time they declared, that in all their proceedings, they 
would studiously avoid every measure that should not appear 
to them at once strictly consistent with their duty to his majesty, 
and the interest, liberty and welfare of their constituents. 

In order to divert the public mind as much as possible from 
the objects which had engrossed the attention of the other col- 
onies ; the governor called for the co-operation of the legislature 
in planning measures for the speedy settlement of the lands 
which had been ceded by the Indian treaty in 1773 : and issued 
his proclamation, requiring all those who had sustained losses 
by the Indians, either by the debts which they had contracted, 
or property they had plundered, to exhibit these claims, which 
should be liquidated and received in payment of bounty on land, 
or any other claim of the province ; and that the attention of 
the governor and council would be given to claimants on the 
first Tuesday in every month. 

During the session of the assembly, petitions were received 
from the different parishes, urging that a stand should be made 
in support of their rights in unison with ,the other provinces. 
They could not remain unconcerned spectators of the poignant 
sufferings in the other colonies, which had in vain sought for 
redress by mild conciliatory measures. 

The British minister had declared in parliament, that it was 
his determination, before he left the helm ; to subject America 
to obedience by force of arms. At that time general Gage was 
employed at the head of the British army in attempting to re- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1115. 281 

duce the northern colonies to submission, in conformity with 
the declaration of the ministry. Armed ships and transports 
were daily arriving at different points on the American coast, 
v;ith re-enforcements to the British army, and parties detached 
in different directions to take possession of arms and ammuni- 
tion, and keep the people in awe. 

On the 29th of January, there was a meeting of four or five 
hundred merchants in London, at the king's arms tavern, who 
drew up a petition and presented it to parliament, stating sev- 
eral particulars of the extensive trade with North-America, as 
it respected the barter of commodities, the balance of cash, as 
well as the negociation of exchange in several parts of Europe. 
It also stated that this very extensive trade was injured by the 
several revenue bills affecting North-America, passed between 
the repeal of the stamp act, and the year 1773. It concluded 
by praying redress in these particulars as well as in the opera- 
tion of all other acts which might affect the trade between 
Great-Britain and North-America. 

The king's speech to parliament in November 1774, repre- 
sented that a most daring spirit of resistance and disobedience 
had appeared in his North-American colonies, and that the 
seeds of discord and rebellion were sprouting in every province ; 
that unlawful combinations were formed to resist the operation 
of his laws, and that he had adopted such measures as he 
deemed most effectual for carrying into execution the laws of 
the last session of parliament ordering the application of mili- 
tary force, in case of further resistance. This speech occasioned 
a warm debate in the house of commons, but when the vote was 
taken, an address of thanks was carried by a large majority. 
A similar address was carried in the upper house, but nine of 
the Lords entered a protest against it. In this state of affairs, 
parliament adjourned until January. Soon after the adjourn- 
ment the proceedings of the American congress reached Great- 
Britain. At the meeting of the ensuing session of parliament, 
the subject of American affairs was again taken up. Lord 



282 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 

Chatham, after a long retirement, resumed his seat in the house 
of Lords, and endeavoured bj his extraordinary eloquence and 
reasoning, to dissuade the government from an attempt to re- 
duce the American colonists to submission by the force of arms. 
Upon this occasion the fire of youth flashed from the tongue 
of this venerable and illustrious sage ; but the powers of his 
eloquent reasoning could not prevail. He enlarged on the ruin- 
ous events which were coming upon the nation, by separating 
the important wing in the west of the empire, by a trifling eti- 
quette in the ministerial plans ; arraigned the conduct of the 
ministers, and reprobated the whole system of procedure on 
American affairs with great severity. He moved that an humble 
address should be presented to the king, in order to open the 
way to a re-establishment of good order and friendship, and 
that the British forces should be withdrawn from the populous 
towns in the provinces, so soon as the rigour of the season would 
render it practicable: and that their petitions should receive 
that attention and respect which the people merited, as the off- 
spring of the British nation. These well grounded oi^inions 
were supported by his Lordship in a most pathetic speech of 
great length, and were seconded by Lords Camden and Shel- 
burne and the marquis of Eockingham; but they were finally 
rejected by a majority of two to one. 

On the 26th of January, Doctor Franklin, Mr. Bolan and 
Mr. Lee, offered another petition to the house, stating that they 
were authorised by the American congress to present it to the 
king, and had been referred by his majesty to that house, and 
that they would be able to throw much light upon the subject, 
if they were permitted to be heard at the bar, in support of its 
contents. The friends of the ministry refused a discussion on 
the subject, and insulted the application by remarking that it 
contained nothing but frivolous and pretended grievances : it 
was rejected by a large majority. Lord Chatham persevered in 
his conciliatory scheme and presented to the house the outlines 
of a bill in the form of a provisional act to settle the disputes 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1115. 283 

in America, and ascertain the supreme legislative authority of 
the superintending power of Great-Britain over the colonies: 
this was also rejected, and not allowed even to lie on the table 
for consideration. This was succeeded by a joint address to 
the king, thanking him for the firm measures he had adopted 
to reduce the colonies to subjection, and strongly urged a perse- 
verance of energetic measures to enforce the operation of his 
laws. 

Before the adjournment of parliament, Lord l^orth intro- 
duced a bill which he called the conciliatory proposition. The 
purport of it was, that the British parliament would forbear to 
tax any colony which should engage to make provision for con- 
tributing its proportion to the common defence, and make pro- 
vision also for the support of civil government, and the admin- 
istration of justice in each colony. This proposition was 
founded on no principle of reconciliation. Lord North at 
length acknowledged that his intention was, to divide the senti- 
ments of the Americans and unite the people of Great-Britain. 
It was transmitted to the colonial governors in a circular letter 
from Lord Dartmouth, but the object was at once discovered and 
it had the effect of irritating and uniting, instead of dividing 
the public opinion in America. 

Lord Effingham said, that whatever had been done in America, 
must be deemed the consequence of the unjust demands of 
Great-Britain. "They come to you with fair argument; you 
have refused to hear them: — they make the most respectful re- 
monstrances ; you have answered them with pains and penal- 
ties : — they know they ought to be free ; you tell them that they 
shall be slaves. Is it then a wonder, if they say in despair, 
that for the short remainder of their lives, they ivill be free ? Is 
there any one among your lordships, who in a situation similar 
to that I have described, would not resolve the same ? If there 
could be such a one, I am sure he ought not to be here. 

"To bring the history down to the present scene : here are two 
armies in presence of each other ; armies of brothers and coun- 
trymen, each dreading the event, yet each feeling that it is in 



284 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1115. 

the power of the most trifling accident — a private dispute — a 
drunken afray in any public house in Boston ; in short, a noth- 
ing — to cause the sword to be drawn and to plunge the whole 
country into all the horrors of blood, flames and paricide. In 
this dreadful moment, a set of men, more wise and moderate 
than the rest, exert themselves to bring us all to reason. They 
state their claims and their grievances ; nay, if any thing can be 
proved by law and history, they prove them. They propose 
oblivion, they make the first concessions: we treat them with 
contempt, we prefer poverty, blood and servitude ; to wealth, 
happiness and liberty. 

"What weight these observations may have, I don't know; 
but the candour with which your lordships have indulged me, 
requires a confession on my part, which may still lessen that 
weight. I must own I am not personally disinterested. Ever 
since I was of an age to have any ambition at all, my highest 
has been to serve my country in a military capacity. If there 
was on earth an event I dreaded, it was to see my country so 
situated as to make that profession incompatible with my duty 
as a citizen. That period is in my opinion arrived, and I have 
thought myself bound to relinquish the hopes I had formed, by 
a resignation, which appeared to me the only method of avoid- 
ing the guilt of enslaving my country and embruing my hands 
in the blood of her sons.* 

''When the duties of a soldier and a citizen become incom- 
patible, I shall always think myself obliged to sink the charac- 
ter of the soldier into that of the citizen, till such time as these 
duties shall again, by the malice of our enemies, become united. 
It is no small sacrifice which a man makes who gives up his pro- 
fession ; but it is a much greater, when a predilection strength- 
ened by habit, has given him so strong an attachment to his pro- 
fession as I feel. I have however, this consolation, that by 
making that sacrifice, I give to my country an unequivocal proof 
of the sincerity of my principles." 

♦ Effingham held a colonel's commission in the British army, which he 
resigned because his regiment was ordered to America. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1115. 285 

Chatham, Effingham, Burke, Eichmond, Wilkes, Glynn and 
Camden, who distinguished themselves as advocates for Ameri- 
can rights, on this occasion, were complimented by naming a 
county after each of them in Georgia, by the constitution of 
1777. The other county was called Liberty, from the circum- 
stance of its sending a representative to congress before the 
province had openly acceded to the union. 

In conformity with a resolution entered into the last year by 
the corresponding committees of this colony, their deputies met 
in Savannah, on the 18th of January, endeavoring as near as 
possible to conform to the resolutions entered into by the other 
colonies ; and the particular measures now adopted, for carrying 
into execution the continental association, on condition, that 
trade and commerce should be extended to this colony by the 
others, and her delegates received in congress. The apprehen- 
sion of the consequences, which would attend these measures, 
gave a temporary check to their joining in the common cause, 
and the deputies adjourned without coming to any definite 
agreement. 

When these deputies returned to their respective parishes, the 
cautious steps which had been adopted, received the sanction of 
their constituents, except in the parish of St. John, where 
twenty-one members of the committee were convened on the 9th 
of February, and addressed a circular letter to the other col- 
onial committees, soliciting their consent to the reception of a 
member of congress, as a representative from that particular 
parish. Encouraged by the answers which were received, the 
committee again convened on the 21st of March, and Doctor 
Lyman Hall, was unanimously elected to represent that par- 
ish in congress at Philadelphia.* In order to insure his re- 
ception, sundry resolutions were entered into, binding them- 
selves to exclude from that parish, the use of prohibited articles. 



* Doctor Hall carried with him from Sunbury, a present of one hundred 
and sixty barrels of rice, and fifty pounds sterling, for the suffering repub- 
licans in Boston, who had opposed the British army under General Gage. 



286 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1715. 

and to conform to all the rules and regulations, which had been, 
or should thereafter be laid down by congTess, for the govern- 
ment of the other provinces. A petition was also forwarded 
to that Honorable body, soliciting that Lyman Hall, Esquire, 
might be received and admitted as a member. 

Doctor Hall announced his arrival at congress on the 13th 
of May, and desired to be informed, whether he might be per- 
mitted to take a seat. It was agreed unanimously, that he 
should be admitted as a delegate from the parish of St. John, in 
the colony of Georgia, subject to such regulations as congress 
should thereafter determine, relative to his voting. During the 
deliberations of that body, it became necessary to take the 
opinion of congress by colonies, upon which a question arose, 
whether the delegate from the parish of St, John, in the colony 
of Georgia, should be admitted to vote. Doctor Hall replied, 
that the distressing situation of American affairs, had induced 
the necessity of the convention of congress, which was composed 
of delegates representing whole colonies ; that as he represented 
but a small section of a colony, he could not insist on giving a 
vote, but would be contented in hearing and assisting in the de- 
liberations, and to give his vote in all cases, except when it be- 
came necessary to take the opinion of congress by colonies ; that 
he hoped the example which had been set by the parish which 
he then represented, would be followed by the others from Geor- 
gia, and that the representation would soon be complete. 

General Gage had arrived at Boston in May 1774, with a 
fleet and army, and assumed the government of Massachusetts. 
War commenced soon after and several battles and skirmishes 
were fought, in which many were killed and wounded on both 
sides. When this intelligence reached Savannah, the indigna- 
tion of the people was roused, and the ferment soon extended 
to every parish in the province. 

The magazine at the eastern extremity of the city of Savan- 
nah contained a considerable quantity of ammunition. The 
magazine was sunk about twelve feet under ground, enclosed 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1115. 287 

with brick, and secured bj a door in such way, that governor 
Wright thought it useless to have it guarded. To gain posses- 
sion of this valuable prize, which had already become in great 
demand among the revolutionists in the northern states, was an 
object no longer to be delayed. A few of the patriots had a 
meeting at the house of Doctor Jones, and concerted the plan 
of operation. On the night of the 11th of May, Noble W. 
Jones, Joseph Habersham, Edward Telfair, William Gibbons, 
Joseph Clay, John Milled ge and some other gentlemen, prin- 
cipally members of the council of safety, and zealous in the 
American cause, broke open the magazine at a late hour of the 
night, took out the powder, sent a part of it to Beaufort in 
South-Carolina, and concealed the remainder in their cellars 
and garrets. Governor Wright issued a proclamation, offering 
a reward of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling for appre- 
hending the offenders and bringing them to punishment ; but 
the secret was not disclosed until the Americans had occasion 
to use the ammunition in defence of their rights and property. 

On the 1st of June, governor Wright and the loyal party at 
Savannah, ordered preparations to be made for the celebration 
of the king's birth day. On the night of the 2nd, a number of 
the inhabitants of the town collected, spiked up all the cannon 
on the battery and hurled them to the bottom of the bluff. With 
dilliculty a few of the spikes were drawn and drilled out, and 
the guns re-mounted to perform the usual ceremonies. 

On the 21st of June, a notice was given in the Gazette, signed 
by ISToble W. Jones, Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, and 
George Walton, Esquires, requesting the inhabitants of the 
to-\vn and district of Savannah, to meet at the liberty pole the 
ensuing day, at ten o'clock, agreeably to a previous notice ; for 
the purpose of choosing a committee to enforce the association 
with the other colonies in the cause of freedom. It was hoped 
that the alarming situation of American affairs in general, and 
of this province in particular would prompt every man to be 
punctual in his attendance. A council of safety was nominated, 



288 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1115. 

of which major William Ewen, was appointed president, Wil- 
liam Le Conte, Joseph Clay, Basil Cooper, Samuel Elbert, Wil- 
liam Young, Elisha Butler, Edward Telfair, John Glenn, 
George Houstoun, George Walton, Joseph Habersham, Francis 
H. Harris, John Smith and John Morel, Esquires, members ; 
and Seth John Cuthbert, secretary. This body was instructed 
to keep up a correspondence with congress at Philadelphia, the 
councils of safety in the other provinces, and the committees 
in the several parishes in Georgia. After this business was 
closed, a number of gentlemen dined at Tondee's tavern, where 
the union flag was hoisted upon the liberty pole, and two pieces 
of artillery placed under it. After dinner, thirteen patriotic 
toasts were drunk, each succeeded by a discharge of cannon and 
martial music. 

By one of the resolutions entered into, it was declared, that 
this province should not afford protection to, nor become an 
asylum for any person or persons whomsoever, who from their 
conduct should be considered inimical to the common cause of 
America ; or should have drawn upon themselves the disappro- 
bation or censure of any of the other colonies. Notwithstanding 
these resolutions, a young man by the name of Hopkins, had the 
temerity to express himself contumaciously of the objects of the 
meeting, and to superadd illnatured epithets of ridicule, which 
he applied to the gentlemen who composed the committee of 
public safety. In consequence of this indiscretion, he was sub- 
jected to the painful obloquy of being tarred and feathered by 
a mob, who to complete his disgrace and render more conspicu- 
ous the popular feelings, hoisted him in a cart, which was il- 
luminated for the occasion, and paraded with a crowded retinue 
through the principal streets of the town, four or five hours. 

A similar circumstance occurred soon after in Augusta, by 
order of the parish committee of that place. Thomas Brown 
and William Thompson had expressed their enmity to the 
American cause, accompanied by toasts at a dinner, ridiculing 
their procedure. A party pursued them to ISTew-Eichmond in 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1715. 289 

South-Carolina, Thompson escaped, but Brown was brought 
back, and after undergoing a trial before the committee, was 
sentenced to be tarred and feathered, and publicly exposed in 
a cart, to be drawn three miles, or until he was willing to con- 
fess his error and take an oath that he would thereafter give his 
aid and assistance to the cause of freedom. 

The hostility of the governors of the southern provinces, to 
the claims of the colonies, rendered it necessary to watch their 
actions, and to counteract their measures, by every means that 
could be devised. To this end, secret committees had been ap- 
pointed in South-Carolina. In one of the mails, proceeding to 
the northward, one of the committees found a letter addressed 
by governor Wright to general Gage, requesting the aid of a 
military force, to enable him to keep in check the rebellious 
spirit of the people of Georgia, and to preserve a friendly corre- 
spondence with the neighbouring nations of Indians. The com- 
mittee forwarded this letter to congress ; and substituted for it, 
another, under an imitated signature of governor Wright, which 
was placed in the mail — purporting, that the people of Georgia 
had become quiet, and resigned to the will of the royal govern- 
ment ; that such an unexpected change in the state of the colony, 
rendered it unnecessary to send any military assistance to the 
southward. In the mean time general Gage had applied mili- 
tary force in the northern provinces, wherever there was an ap- 
pearance of resistance to the laws of England. 

In July, the council of safety in South-Carolina sent pro- 
posals to Cameron, the British agent with the Cherokee Indians, 
through major Andrew Williamson, who was his countryman, 
and with whom, he was in habits of friendship ; offering for 
his acceptance, a salary equal to that which he received from 
the British government, and a remuneration for any losses 
which he might sustain by joining in the interests of the col- 
onies. It was of great consequence to obtain the neutrality of 
the Cherokee Indians, and it was believed, that by securing the 
friendly offices of Mr. Cameron, who was influential with that 
19 



290 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 

nation, that important object would be obtained. Cameron de- 
clined the overture; nor would he enter into anj engagements 
which would be at variance with such instructions as he might 
receive from the British government. Soon after this confer- 
ence, he consulted his personal safety bj retiring into the midst 
of the Cherokee nation. This movement of Cameron, gave 
cause of alarm to the frontier settlers, although he had dis- 
avowed the receipt of any instructions from Stewart, the prin- 
cipal superintendant of Indian affairs, which would tend to 
hostility with the frontiers of Georgia or Carolina. 

The situation of Georgia was inauspicious. It was but thinly 
inhabited, on a territory about one hundred and fifty miles from 
north to south ; and about thirty miles from east to west. It 
presented a western frontier of two hundred and fifty miles. It 
had on the north-west the Cherokees ; on the west, the Creeks ; 
on the south, a refugee banditti in Florida ; and on the east, the 
influence of governor Wright, who controled the king's ships on 
the sea-coast. The population of the eastern district of the 
province, was composed of white people and negro slaves ; the 
latter, the most numerous, the former but few in number. A 
great majority of the inhabitants was favourable to the cause 
of the colonies: yet, from surrounding dangers, their measures 
were to be adopted with cautious circumspection. 

A general election was held for delegates, to meet at Savan- 
nah, on the 4th day of July. The members accordingly as- 
sembled; and the 15th of that month, they appointed the hon- 
ourable Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, John Joachim 
Zubly, Koble Wimberly Jones, and Lyman Hall, Esquires, to 
represent this province in congress, at Philadelphia. The reso- 
lution for this measure was signed by fifty-three members, who 
pledged themselves for its support ; and their proceedings were 
communicated to congress, then in session, accompanied by a 
declaration, that this province was determined to unite in, and 
adhere to the common cause of the provinces. 

During the session of the delegates in Savannah, captain 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 291 

Maitland from London arrived at Tybee, with thirteen thou- 
sand pounds of powder, and other articles for the use of the 
British troops, and for the Indian trade. It was determined 
to obtain possession of that valuable prize, without loss of time : 
accordingly about thirty volunteers, under the command of 
commodore Brown and colonel Joseph Habersham, embarked 
on board of two boats, proceeded down the river Savannah to 
the ship, took possession of her, and discharged the crew. A 
guard was left on board of the ship, and the powder brought to 
to%vn and secured in the magazine. Five thousand pounds of 
the powder was sent to the patriots near Boston. 

Among the number who were concerned in taking the ship, 
was Ebenezer Smith Plat. This gentleman was afterward taken 
by the enemy, and identified by two of the ship's crew. He was 
sent to England under a charge of treason, and remained sev- 
eral years in gaol ; but was eventually considered a prisoner of 
war, and exchanged. 



CHAPTER III. 

IjST August several letters were received by the president of the 
council of safety, advising him that the southern frontier 
was menaced with hostility from St. Augustine, aided by the 
Indians; if Georgia refused to co-operate with the British, in 
quelling the revolt in South-Carolina. The council was immedi- 
ately convened, and the following proclamation issued by 
president Ewen: 

"Geoegia. 

"Whereas, among other things it was resolved by the last 
provincial legislature, that a new election be held at such times 
between the day of adjournment and the 1st day of September 
next, as the inhabitants of the several parishes and districts 
should think fit respectively, and that the members so elected, 
should meet in Savannah on the 4th day of December next, or 
sooner if the council of safety should think it expedient: this 
board therefore, earnestly recommend to the several parishes 
and districts within the province, to proceed without delay to 
the choice of delegates, to represent them in the next provincial 
legislature, agreeably to the number limited, and in manner and 
form as prescribed at the last assembly." 

In conformity with this proclamation, elections were held in 
the parishes and districts, for representatives, and in every in- 
stance, such men were selected as were known to be friendly to 
the cause of the colonies, and opposed to the political plans of 
Great-Britain. On the 15th of September, Lord William Camp- 
bell, the British governor of South-Carolina, had dismounted 
the cannon of the battery at fort Johnson, and taken refuge on 
board the Tamer man of war, then lying in Rebellion road. The 
same night, the provincial troops took possession of the battery, 
remounted the cannon, and made the necessary preparations for 
defending the town. When these circumstances were communi- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 293 

cated to president Ewin, he issued his proclamation, requiring 
the provincial legislature to convene at Savannah on the 16th 
of November, when and where, all the members elected to rep- 
resent the several parishes and districts in this province, were 
summond to attend, and take under consideration, such impor- 
tant matters as should then be laid before them. 

In September or October, Lord Campbell ordered general 
Patrick Cunningham, to hold in readiness the friends of the 
roval government, between Broad and Saluda rivers, to quell 
any opposition which might be made to the measures of Great 

Britain. 

To secure the friendship of the Cherokee nation of Indians, 
had occupied the early attention of the council of safety in the 
southern provinces. The Indians being deprived of their ordi- 
nary supplies, by the interruption of their trade through South- 
Carolina and Georgia, were in ill humour and manifested a 
hostile temper. It was therefore judged expedient to furnish 
them with ammunition for their hunting season, to enable them 
to supply their families with necessary support. The council 
of safety in Charleston sent them one thousand weight of pow- 
der, and a proportionable quantity of lead, under an escort of 
twenty Kangers, commanded by lieutenant-colonel Charlton, 
who was charged with the distribution of it among the Indians. 
General Cunningham and major Bowman with about one hun- 
dred and fifty loyalists, way-laid the party as they passed 
through Ninety-six district, took possession of the ammunition, 
and disarmed the guard. 

Upon the receipt of intelligence of this event, major Andrew 
Williamson ordered into service the militia of his battalion, 
and called for assistance from Georgia, with the intention of 
dispersing Cunningham's party. He was joined by captain 
Jacob Colson, with his company, consisting of about sixty min- 
ute men; and on mustering his force, found it to consist of be- 
tween three hundred and fifty, and four hundred men; with 
which he advanced to Ninety-six. 



294 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 

When Williamson's movements were communicated to Cun- 
ningham, he assembled the loyalists, who numbered fifteen hun- 
dred or more, and advanced to meet Williamson; who calcu- 
lating on a superiority of numbers in the ranks of his opponent, 
had constructed a stockade fort with fence rails, sufficient in 
extent for his troops, on the hill which is separated from Ninety- 
six by the spring, which supplied the inhabitants of that village 
with water. There was no water in the fort; but Williamson 
expected to be able to supply his troops with that necessary fluid, 
from the spring. Major Williamson had supplied himself with 
some swivels, which he placed to the best advantage. On the 
19th of November, in the forenoon, the advanced parties of the 
enemy were skirmished by parties from the fort; in this ren- 
contre, the Americans had several men wounded, and they re- 
treated into the fort. General Cunningham took possession 
of the village and gaol, about three hundred yards from the fort, 
which enabled him to command the water. Williamson was at- 
tacked on all sides, from behind houses, trees, logs, stumps and 
fences ; but no trenches were opened. On the second day of the 
attack, the enemy constructed mantelets, with an intention to 
approach the fort and set it on fire ; but they could not manage 
them so as to answer their intentions, and they were burned: 
the beseiged were summoned to surrender, but the proposition 
was rejected. On the third day a sortie was arranged, to be 
commanded by captains Pickens, M'Call, Middleton, Anderson, 
Sinqufield and Colson, with twenty men each, to attack the 
enemy at different points, at the same time: this was not exe- 
cuted, by reason of a suspension of hostilities being proposed 
by general Cunningham for twenty days, and agreed to by 
major Williamson. In this agreement each party was at lib- 
erty to send to their respective authorities, unsealed despatches, 
informing them of the event, and their situation. The Ameri- 
can party had sustained themselves without water, and but 
short allowance of provisions for three days without a murmur ; 
and their stock of ammunition became nearly expended. Gen- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 295 

eral Cimningham was induced to propose the suspension of hos- 
tilities, on receiving intelligence, that colonels Richardson and 
Thompson, with a formidable re-inforcement, were approach- 
ing to the relief of major Williamson. 

The terms of the suspension of hostilities were signed on 
the 2 2d of November, Captain Colson and his company were 
discharged, after receiving the compliments of major William- 
son, for their courage and activity during the siege. In this 
afFair, the besieged lost one man, James Birmingham, killed; 
and thirteen wounded. The loss of the enemy was not accu- 
rately known ; but afterward acknowledged to be fifty-two men 
killed and wounded. 

The militia were discharged, and- returned to their respective 
homes; but, were directed to reassemble at Ninety-six, at the 
termination of the truce. 

Captain Colson and his company marched to the place of ren- 
dezvous on the day appointed, and joined major Williamson: 
the condition of things had materially changed. Colonel Rich- 
ardson's command, was near two thousand men ; and the enemy, 
in the fork of Broad and Saluda rivers, was reduced to six hun- 
dred. The Americans marched in quest of them, and attacked 
them by surprise, on the morning of the 24th of December. The 
loyalists were totally routed ; several of their leaders were cap- 
tured ; and such as escaped, made their way toward Florida, 
and the neighbouring Indian nations, for safety. 

On the night of the 25th was a gTeat fall of snow, supposed 
to be deeper on the ground, than what had ever before been wit- 
nessed in the southern provinces. In Georgia it was generally, 
eighteen inches deep; and from this circumstance, this was 
called the snow campaigri. The troops having no tents, and gen- 
erally, not well provided with thick cloathing, suffered severely. 
When the Georgia troops were discharged, they had to march 
one hundred miles knee deep in the snow. 

John Stewart, the superintendant of Indian affairs, had 
fixed the head quarters of his agency at St. Augustine, and ap- 



296 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 

pointed his brother, Henry Stewart, his deputy, for the pur- 
pose of keeping open a communication with Alexander Cam- 
eron, agent among the Cherokees. Notwithstanding the great 
obligations which Stewart was under to the people of South- 
Carolina, whose government had made him a donation of fifteen 
hundred pounds sterling, and from whose recommendation he 
was appointed superintendant of Indian affairs: yet in fifteen 
years after, we find him a violent opponent to those friends, 
when they were struggling for freedom. Early in the contest, 
he had settled a plan in concert with the king's governors, and 
other officers engaged in the royal cause, to land an army in 
Florida, and to proceed with a part of it to the western fron- 
tiers of Georgia and Carolina, and there, in conjunction with 
the loyalists and Indians, to assail the friends of the revolu- 
tion. For this purpose he had employed colonel Moses Kirk- 
land, of the Carolina refugees, to proceed to Boston, and con- 
cert the plan of operations with general Gage, commander-in- 
chief of the British forces in America. After the arrangement 
was digested. Gage was to communicate the result to the lieu- 
tenant-governor at St. Augustine, from whence a party was to 
attack Georgia upon the south. When Kirkland was on his 
way to Boston, he was taken ])risoner, and these letters were 
found in his possession. The Indian talk to Cameron, which 
is mentioned in the letters, contained assurances from the Chero- 
kees, that they were ready to attend Cameron, and massacre 
the back settlers of Georgia and Carolina. A letter was also 
found with Kirkland, from the lieutenant-governor to general 
Grant, containing a description of Carolina and Georgia, and 
pointing out the most accessible points of attack by the British 
and Indians, through the aid of Stewart and Cameron, who 
adopted every possible means of exasperating them against the 
inhabitants of these provinces, who were friendly to the meas- 
ures of congress. In this letter, he says, "I hope the general 
will not take any more of the troops from us ; I think he has 
already weakened us too much: consider the fort and its con- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 297 

tents ; consider what our neighbours are willing to do ; consider 
also, that this is the best and only immediate communication 
between Great-Britain and our red brothers. The best friends 
of Great-Britain are in the back parts of Carolina and Georgia : 
if the Indians were put in motion, they would suffer, and not 
the rebels: but this will be delivered to you by colonel Moses 
Ivirkland, who comes express to general Gage ; to him I refer 
you — what he tells you, you may depend on. I think he may 
be made a powerful instrument in the hands of government, 
should any thing be done this way, which I think ought immedi- 
ately to be undertaken : he knows every inch of Carolina, every 
road and bye-road, every creek and swamp, every person, and 
has a most extensive influence ; is resolute, active and enterpris- 
ing, and I think ought to receive the earliest encouragement : he 
has not had a liberal education, but possesses clear, strong and 
manly sense, and I think he is entirely to be depended on." 

These and many other letters to the same purport, were 
found in Kirkland's possession ; all tending to encourage a junc- 
tion with the Creek and Cherokee Indians, against that part 
of the inhabitants of Georgia and Carolina, who were friendly 
to the measures of congress; but how to discriminate between 
the latter and those who were attached to the royal cause, puz- 
zled them. Henry Stewart had projected a plan, which was 
found in Kirkland's possession ; but it was wild and deceptive. 
These arrangements were partially frustrated by the capture 
of the vessel which was conveying Kirkland to Boston. The 
letters found in his possession, were forwarded to congress and 
published. The alarm which this species of warfare excited upon 
the frontiers, where the Indian customs were well known, can 
scarcely be imagined. Though this discovery of the British de- 
signs and the capture of Kirkland, who was to have had an 
active share in the execution of them, in a great measure frus- 
trated the plans of the royal servants, yet they were so far car- 
ried into effect, that the Cherokees commenced their massacres 
on the frontiers, at the same time that the British fleet appeared 



298 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 

off Charleston, in the month of June. In the execution of this 
plan, the friends and enemies of the British cause, participated 
equally in personal sufferings and pecuniary losses. The sea- 
son for gathering the harvest of their labours, had just com- 
menced; part of it was not yet cut, and the balance remained 
in the fields. Their houses were burned, and their fences laid 
open, inviting destruction by such horses, cattle and hogs, as 
had not been taken off by the Indians. The royal party com- 
plained that they had not been sheltered by their political opin- 
ions and feelings, from the universal distresses and calamities, 
which fell upon every part of the frontier. 

The danger, particularly with which Georgia was threatened 
from every quarter, and the ruinous consequences anticipated 
from an open and decided part in the contest, prevented the 
provincial assembly from forming a house until the 20th of 
January, when Archibald Bulloch, Esquire was chosen presi- 
dent of the executive council, and Edward Langworthy, secre- 
tary. President Ewin of the committee of safety, laid before 
the house a variety of documents, representing the oppression 
of the other colonies to the north, and the united zeal with 
which the British troops had been opposed. Among other 
papers, was the address of the house of commons to the king, at 
the opening of parliament, on the 28th of October, 1775. After 
having represented the seduction of the American colonies from 
their allegiance imder misrepresentations and insidious pre- 
tences, by which they had been made the instruments of the am- 
bition and treacherous desig-ns of those dangerous men, who had 
led them step by step to the standard of rebellion; that they 
now assumed the powers by sovereign authority, which was ex- 
ercised in a despotic arbitrary manner over the persons and 
property of the deluded people. That they took a sincere part 
in the king's benevolent desire, rather to reclaim than to subdue 
the American colonies, and regretted that it was not possible, 
without the effusion of the blood of their fellow-subjects ; but 
still hoped that the American people would have discernment 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1775. 299 

enough to see the treacherous views of their leaders, and con- 
sider the ruinous consequences which would attend, even the 
success of their plans. They then offered their entire concur- 
rence with the king, that it then became the part of wisdom 
and clemency, to put a speedy end to these disasters by the 
most decisive exertions ; that they learned with the greatest 
satisfaction, that the king had increased his naval establishment 
and greatly augmented his land forces ; and that he had adopted 
the economical plan of drawing as many regiments from out- 
posts as could be spared, to subdue the American colonies, and 
bring them to a proper sense of their dependance upon the 
British government: they hoped that this force would soon 
bring the misled colonies to a correct idea of their error ; and 
closed by thanking him for the authority he had given to his 
colonial governors, to offer pardon to such as would return to 
their allegiance ; and promising their cordial co-operation in 
the augmentation of the navy and army, if the objects con- 
templated should require it. Every exertion of the American 
advocates in parliament, in opposition to these measures, proved 
vain and ineffectual. 

After the documents which had been laid before the assembly 
were read ; the house entered into a resolution to embark with 
the other provinces in the common cause, with the utmost zeal, 
to resist and be free. Orders were given to seize governor 
Wright, and disperse his council. At that time the Syren, 
Raven, Tamer and Cherokee, British armed ships, were lying 
at Tybee, in the mouth of Savannah river. A schooner was 
sunk on Bryan's bank to prevent their getting up to town, and 
many of the inhabitants removed with their effects into the 
country. A resolution was passed forbidding any person under 
any pretext whatsoever, to conduct any vessel of war into the 
ports or inlets of this province, without permission derived from 
the assembly, and required the citizens to use their utmost en- 
deavours to bring offenders to exemplary punishment. 

On the 18th of January, Joseph Habersham, Esq. who was 



300 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 

then a member of the house, raised a party of volunteers, took 
governor Wright prisoner, paroled him to his house, and placed 
a sentinel at his door ; prohibiting all intercourse with the mem- 
bers of his council, the king's officers, or other persons who were 
supposed to be inimical to the American cause. The governor 
became tired of confinement, and with the assistance of John 
Mulryne, effected his escape from the back part of his house, 
on the night of the 11th of February. He went down the river 
about five miles by land to Bona venture, where Mulryne lived, 
and where a boat and crew were waiting for him ; from thence 
he passed through Tybee creek and got on board the armed ship 
Scarborough, from whence he wrote the following letter to 
James Mackay, and the other members of his council, at Sa- 
vannah. 

''February Idth, 1776. 
'^'honokable gentlemen^ 

"After using my best endeavours for upward of three weeks, 
to prevail on those in whose hands the present ruling powers 
are, that the commanders of his majesty's ships here might ob- 
tain assurances that they might come to town and have free in- 
tercourse with me, without receiving any insults from the peo- 
ple assembled in and about town ; also that the king's ships 
might be supplied with provisions, on paying the full price or 
value of them : and finding that the last message relative to these 
matters, which I desired the representatives of the to^vn of 
Savannah, to deliver to the persons exercising those powers, 
was so lightly treated and little regarded, as that, although de- 
livered on Tuesday morning the 6th instant, yet I received no 
kind of answer to it for five days ; nor did I understand, whether 
it was meant to give me any answer or not: and well knowing 
that it was essential to his majesty's service, and the welfare 
of this province, that I should have an interview with the king's 
officers here: for these reasons, and many others, which you 
were made acquainted with and approved of, I determined in 
all events to attempt coming down here, where I arrived at three 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 301 

o'clock yesterday morning. And after having examined and 
duly weighed and considered my several letters from England, 
and general Howe at Boston ; and after having had a full con- 
versation with his majesty's officers here, I have the great satis- 
faction to be able to affirm, from the best authority, that the 
forces now here, will not commit any hostilities against this 
province, although fully sufficient to reduce and overcome every 
opposition that could be attempted to be made ; and that noth- 
ing is meant, or wanted, but a friendly intercourse and a sup- 
ply of fresh provisions. This his majesty's officers have an 
unbounded right to expect, and what they insist upon ; and this 
I not only solemnly require in his majesty's name, but also, as 
(probably) the best friend the people of Georgia have, advise 
them without the least hesitation to comply with, or it may not 
be in my power to insure them the continuance of the peace and 
quietude they now have, if it may be called so. 

"His majesty has been graciously pleased to grant me leave 
to return to England, and (whatever may be thought) my re- 
o-ard for the province and people is such that I cannot avoid, 
(and possibly for the last time) exhorting the people to save 
themselves and their posterity from that total ruin and destruc- 
tion, which although they may not, yet I most clearly see at the 
threshold of their doors ; and I cannot leave them without again 
warning them, in the most earnest and friendly manner, to de- 
sist from their present plans and resolutions : it is still in their 
power, and if they will enable me to do it, I will (as far as I 
can) engage to give, and endeavour to obtain for them, full par- 
don and forgiveness for all passed crimes and offences ; and this 
I conjure you to consider well, and most seriously of, before 
it's too late : but, let things happen as they may, be it remem- 
bered, that I this day, in the king's name, offer the people of 
Georgia the olive branch, that most desirable object, and in- 
estimable blessing, the return of peace and happiness, to them 
and their posterity. 

"Captain Barclay has desired me to notify, that he is willing 



302 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 

and ready to give every assistance in his power to the captains 
of all such merchant ships as may be legally cleared out, to en- 
able them to proceed on their respective voyages. I am also 
to acquaint you, that the detention of the schooner on Friday 
or Saturday last, proceeded entirely from a mistake by the 
officer who commanded the armed sloop, and that, if the owner 
will send down, the schooner will not only be delivered up, but 
any reasonable price will be paid for the damaged rice that was 
on board, part of which has been used to feed hogs and poultry, 
or they may take it away again. I am also to mention, that the 
same armed sloop will be sent up tomorrow, to Four-mile point, 
in order to get fresh water, and for no other purpose. This let- 
ter, which I consider as of the utmost consequence and impor- 
tance to the whole people of Georgia, I must desire you will be 
pleased to communicate to the assembly, if sitting, and if not, 
to those who are called the council of safety, and especially to 
the inhabitants of the town and province in general, and ac- 
quaint them, that I shall expect their full and clear answer to 
every part of it, in a reasonable time. 
I am, with perfect esteem, gentlemen. 

Your most obedient and faithful servant, 

JAMES WRIGHT. 

The assembly had passed a resolution to raise a battalion 
of continental troops, and on the 4th of February, the follow- 
ing field officers were appointed to command it: Lachlan M'ln- 
tosh, colonel ; Samuel Elbert, lieutenant-colonel ; and Joseph 
Habersham, major. 

On the 2nd of February, Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, 
Lyman Hall, Button Gwinnett, and George Walton, Esquires, 
were elected to represent this province, in congress, at Phila- 
delphia. Bills of credit were issued, in the form of certificates, 
and resolutions entered into, for the punishment of those who 
refused to receive them in payment of debts, or at par, for any 
article which was offered for sale. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 303 

The legislature adjourned on the 21st of February, without 
giving governor Wright any satisfactory answer to his letter of 
the 13th, which determined him to force his way up to the 
town and procure such supplies as he wanted for the use of the 
aruied vessels in the harbour. 

The resolutions of congress, prohibiting commercial inter- 
course between the American colonies and the British domin- 
ions, had prevented the British armed vessels upon the coast, 
from procuring a sufficient supply of provisions for their 
crews. The British determined to force a trade into Savannah 
river, and the other harbours along the coast of Georgia, where 
there was a great abundance of rice prepared for market, by 
a number of rich planters who were friendly to the royal gov- 
ernment. When the prospect of gain was presented, these peo- 
ple felt no repugnance in contravening the resolutions of con- 
gress. 

Early in March, eleven merchant vessels were laden with rice 
in Savannah river, and preparing for a sea voyage. To favour 
this design, and keep the inhabitants in awe, the Tamer, Chero- 
kee, Scarborough, and a Sloop of War, under the command 
of captain Barclay, took their stations between Cockspur island 
and Five-fathom Hole, a few miles below the town. The enemy 
sounded the river on the north side of Hutchinson's island and 
found a sufficient depth of water to admit two of their vessels, 
which passed up with the intention of coming round the upper 
end of the island, and attacking the town at the most accessible 
point. Majors Maitland and Grant, disembarked with a land 
force ; crossed over the island and embarked on board of a 
merchant vessel, which lay near the shore opposite the town. 
One of the armed vessels grounded on a bank, opposite to Raes 
Hall, from whence the crew was fired on by a company of rifle- 
men, under the command of major Joseph Habersham, who 
would have taken it, if boats could have been procured to carry 
this detachment on board. The vessel floated at high water and 
sheared off. 



304 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 

Colonel M'Intosh sent a flag to Maitland and Grant, by cap- 
tains Roberts and Demere, which was detained. Captains 
Scriven and Baker were detached with a party to demand the 
return of the flag, but were refused admittance and the party 
fired upon, by which one man was wounded and the boat almost 
sunk. Captain Bowen was ordered to set fire to two vessels 
lying in the stream, near the one on board of which Maitland 
and Grant had taken shelter. The first effort, which was made 
in the morning, did not succeed, because the tide was too far 
spent. The second attempt, made in the afternoon, was suc- 
cessful. The cable of the ship was slipped, while she was en- 
veloped in flames, and drifted against the enemy: part of the 
British soldiers jumped overboard, and swam on shore: the 
officers and as many men as the boats could accommodate were 
carried on shore. Many of the soldiers stuck in the soft mud, 
and with difficulty reached the rice dams, with the loss of their 
arms. 

The South Carolinians, not only observed the continental 
regulations, but on all occasions cheerfully co-operated with the 
friends of freedom, to prevent an infringement of them in 
Georgia. One hundred and fifty volunteers from Charleston, 
and three hundred and fifty of the country militia, under the 
command of colonel Bull, arrived at this critical moment, and 
aided in the dislodgement of the enemy. Three of the mer- 
chant vessels were burned, six dismantled and two escaped to 
sea. Before they sailed, a party of marines went on shore at 
Skidaway, to collect sea stores, but were driven off by lieuten- 
ant Hext's detachment of militia. In a skirmish at Cockspur, 
on the same day, lieutenants Jacob Gates, and Laroach, were 
killed. 

Upon this trying occasion, the patriotism of the citizens of 
Savannah was tested, by a resolution which was offered by one 
of the members of the committee of safety ; the purport of which 
was, that the houses in Savannah which were owned by those 
whose motto was Liberty or Death, including houses which 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 305 

belonged to widows and orphans, should be appraised; and in 
the event of the enemy's gaining possession of the city, the torch 
was to be applied in every direction, and the town was to be 
abandoned in smoking ruins. To the astonishment, even of those 
who made the proposition, when the republican party was con- 
vened, there was not one dissenting voice. Among the num- 
ber, where this resolution originated, were many of the most 
wealthy inhabitants of Savannah, and some whose all, con- 
sisted of houses and lots. The houses of those persons, who 
were inimical to the American cause, were not to be noticed in 
the valuation. Committees were accordingly appointed, and 
in a few hours, returns were made to the council of safety. 
There are many instances of conflagration, by order of a mon- 
arch, "who can do no wrong," but there are but few instances 
upon record, where the patriotism of the citizen has urged him 
(.n to the destruction of his own property, to prevent its becom- 
ing an asylum to the enemies of his country. The resolution 
before mentioned, was put into the hands of colonel Lachlan 
M'Intosh, and published in a general order for the government 
of the troops. 

The little execution that was done in Savannah, while it was 
apparently attacked by an avowed enemy ; gives strong evidence 
that the hostile disposition of the opposing parties, was not yet 
roused. It was then considered as a family quarrel, which 
might yet be made up, by an accommodation of the existing 
differences between Great Britain and America. Therefore, 
a disposition to excite alarm by menaces, rather than to irri- 
tate by the shedding of blood, prevailed upon both sides, during 
the time that this partial attack was made upon Savannah. If 
this had not been the general disposition, certainly more men 
would have been killed and wounded. 

When the legislature adjourned in August 1775, the hope 

was still cherished, that a negociation would be made through 

the medium of yielding on the part of the British government, 

the points for which the colonies so justly contended. These 

20 



306 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1116. 

delusive hopes were suddenly damped by an act of parliament, 
dated 21st of December, 1775. The letter accompanying this 
act, was addressed to governor Wright, directing the confisca- 
tion of the property of those who adhered to the principles con- 
tended for in the other colonies ; and the withholding of the 
king's protection from all the colonies, which refused implicit 
obedience to the laws of the crown. The act extended to the 
prohibition of intercourse, between the British nation and all 
the colonies, from Massachusetts to Georgia, inclusively, during 
the continuance of their rebellion against the laws of England. 
The inhabitants of the provinces, were charged with setting 
themselves up in open rebellion and defiance to the legal au- 
thority of the king and parliament, to which they had ever 
been subjects ; and having assembled together, armed forces, 
engaged the king's troops, attacked his forts, usurped the power 
of government and prohibited all peaceable trade and commerce 
with his kingdom, and other parts of his dominions. For the 
speedy and effectual suppression of these daring designs, and 
for preventing any aid, supply, or assistance being afforded 
them, during the continuance of the rebellion and treasonable 
commotions, it was enacted — that all manner of trade and 
commerce should be prohibited with the colonies aforesaid, and 
that all ships or vessels, belonging to their inhabitants, with 
their cargoes, apparel and furniture ; and all other ships or 
vessels, with their cargoes, which should be found trading in 
any of the ports of these colonies, or going to trade, or return- 
ing from trading with them ; should be forfeited to the British 
government, as if such ships and their cargoes belonged to an 
enemy. And for the encouragement of the officers, seamen 
and soldiers, in the king's service, they were to be entitled to 
the sole interest and property of all such ships and cargoes of 
merchandise, as they should seize, belonging to the colonies or 
the inhabitants thereof, to be divided in such proportions, and 
after such manner, as the king should see fit to order and es- 
tablish by proclamation, thereafter to be issued for that purpose. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 307 

This law had a tendency to rouse the lethargic spirits of 
many, who had previously been disposed to remain neuter, and 
strengthen the party disposed to establish an independent gov- 
ernment in America. An express was despatched to Charles- 
ton, in South-Carolina, which arrived there at the critical 
period when the legislature was in session, and while the 
important debate was pending, whether they should establish 
an independent constitution, and separate from Great-Britain, 
or make another appeal, by petition, to the clemency of the 
British cabinet, for a re-establishment of the former order of 
things. The receipt of this law silenced the opposition, and 
determined the wavering in favour of an independent constitu- 
tion. In one hour after this British act was read in the legis- 
lature of Carolina, an order was issued to seize a Jamaica ves- 
sel, laden with sugar, and in preparation to sail for London; 
the proceeds of which, were appropriated to the public service. 

Governor Tonyn, of East-Florida, had previously commis- 
sioned privateers, to cruise on the coast of the southern prov- 
inces, to plunder the property of the inhabitants, and the ad- 
ventures of merchants lying in the harbours. 

The loyalists, who had fled from the Carolinas and Georgia, 
found a secure retreat in East-Florida: and the southern settlers 
in Georgia, had been frequently disturbed by the predatory in- 
cursions of these banditti, who bore the appellation of Florida 
Rangers. The more efFectually to excite terror in the inhabi- 
tants, they had constantly small parties of Indians in their 
train. Property which was moveable, conflagration and mur- 
der, were the principal objects of their enterprise. They had 
no attachment for king, country, or any thing at variance with 
pillage and interest. Germyn Wright, the brother of gover- 
nor Wright, constructed a fort on St. Mary's river, which be- 
came a general rendezvous and deposite, for the unworthy serv- 
ants of a more unworthy cause and master. The destruction 
of this receptacle, became an object of great consequence. 

For the desirable purpose of routing this nest of villains, 



308 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 

captain John Baker collected about seventy mounted volunteer 
militia, and marched to St. Mary's, observing the greatest 
secrecy in his operations, with a hope of surprising and demol- 
ishing the fort. This party approached undiscovered within 
a short distance of the fortress, taking advantage of a thick 
wood for concealment until dark, believing that the night would 
be the most favourable time for a surprise. Baker had been 
informed that a body of Indians had encamped in the vicinity 
of the fort, and that the combined forces of the enemy would 
greatly outnumber him : therefore, his hope of success, depended 
U])on surprise, and a rapid retreat after the fort was destroyed. 
Unfortunately he was discovered by a negro, who gave notice 
of his number and approach. An alarm of three cannon was 
fired from the fort, and was answered by the schooner St. John, 
of eight guns, which lay two miles further down the river. A 
firing of musquetry commenced, but without effect. Captain 
Baker concluded, that a reinforcement would be sent from 
the schooner to the garrison; and, in order to cut off the com- 
munication, ordered a party to a landing below the fort; from 
whence, three armed boats were soon descried: the party con- 
cealed themselves until the boats came near the shore, when 
they opened their fire ; several of the crew, of the boat in front, 
were killed and wounded: they called for quarter, which was 
granted to them; and they came to the shore and surrendered. 
Among the prisoners were captain Barkup, of the navy; and 
lieutenant Bucher, of the army. The other boats escaped under 
cover of the night. From one of the prisoners, who was 
wounded, information was received that a large body of In- 
dians were encamped on the opposite side of the river, not far 
diptant from the fort. When Baker received this intelligence, 
it was early in the night ; he retreated eight or nine miles and 
encamped. Daniel and James M'Girth, who were privates in 
Baker's command, were both on guard ; they devised the plan, 
and executed it, of stealing the horses belonging to the party, 
and deserted with the greater part of them to the enemy. For 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 309 

this act of treachery, and expertness in stealing, Daniel M'Girth 
was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Florida Rangers, com- 
manded by colonel Thomas Brown ; and he improved, after- 
ward, in the art by which he had gained promotion. James 
M'Girth, whose talents were less conspicuous, was rewarded 
by a commission of captain in the same corps. Chagrined, and 
disappointed, by the failure of the enterprise and loss of his 
horses, by the treachery of part of his command, so unexpectedly 
practised upon him, Baker returned to Georgia. 

When the attack was made on Savannah, the legislature 
thought it advisable to adjourn to Augusta, where they could 
progress with some temporary arrangements, for civil and mili- 
tary government. They had no constitutional plan of govern- 
ment for their gviide: they could only enter into resolutions, to 
encourage resistance to the British government, and carry on 
a communication with congress and the constituted authorities 
of the other colonies. The legislature convened at Augusta, 
on the 8th day of March, and appointed John Wereat, speaker 
of the assembly. The defects in the system of managing public 
affairs, was soon demonstrated. The judiciary system was 
running into confusion: although the criminal laws were still 
in force, they were virtually invalid, by the want of proper 
officers to execute them: so, also, were the other laws of the 
province. It was necessary to form some regular plan of gov- 
ernment ; and to appoint officers to fill the different departments, 
to put the laws into execution. When these subjects were 
brought before the house of assembly for discussion, many of 
the members were opposed to acting on them ; alledging that 
they had no authority to do so, from their constituents ; they 
agreed, however, to submit the subject, for the consideration 
of the people; and in the mean time the president and pro- 
vincial council, were vested with power to exercise the executive 
functions. They also agreed to the appointment of such officers 
as were necessary in the judiciary department : John Glenn 
was appointed chief justice, and William Stephens attorney 
general. 



CHAPTER IV. 

CAPTAIls^ WILLIAM FREEMAN had been appointed 
by the republican government of South Carolina, to meet 
some of the Cherokee chiefs and head men at Seneca, on 
the frontier, and near the line of sejjaration between the two 
states. His instructions were to communicate the friendly dis- 
position of the white people toward the Indians ; to draw the 
assurances of friendship from them, if possible, and to use 
every argument to dissuade them from taking an active part 
in the war, between the United States and Great-Britain. 
Though he obtained these promises, he felt assured that Cam- 
eron's influence would prevail over the Indians in the adoption 
of any measure, which the interest of the royal government 
might induce him to recommend. 

When Cameron was first appointed agent for the Cherokee 
tribe of Indians, by the British government, he had opened 
two extensive farms on the frontier of Carolina, near Savannah 
river, one of which he named Lochaher, and the other Diamond 
Hill: on these farms he had placed a number of negroes, and a 
number of horses and cattle ; from the produce of which, he 
promised himself an independent fortune in a few years. To 
secure his influence among the Indians, regardless of what he 
owed to propriety, or the customs of a civilized country ; he 
selected an Indian woman from one of the most influential fam- 
ilies in the Cherokee nation, whom he took to his house as a 
mistress, and placed her at the head of his table. Her dress 
8ind equipage were of the richest kind that the country could 
afford ; his furniture was elegant, and mode of living sumptu- 
ous. To increase his influence, through the means of his mis- 
tiness, the royal presents were distributed among the Indians, 
under her immediate direction. When he saw the storm gath- 
ering in 1775, he consulted his personal safety in removing 
into the nation, where he was constantly surrounded by his red 
brethren. Captaiu Freeman foresaw that the promises of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1116. 311 

peace, made by the Indians, were not to be relied on, while 
they were under the baleful influence of Cameron ; and ac- 
cordingly reported his opinion to the council of safety, in Caro- 
lina, after he returned from the conference. At this time the 
southern states, particularly Georgia, had every horror to antici- 
pate from a ferocious host, under the guidance of such leaders 
as Stewart and Cameron. From the customary implements 
and mode of warfare, by these ferocious tribes of savages, the 
inhabitants looked forward with dread and horror, to murder 
and conflagration. The distresses attending flight and pecuniary 
ruin, presented the only prospect of personal safety. 

The committee saw no other mean of averting these calam- 
ities, but by seizing Cameron's person and bringing him out 
of the nation by stratagem. This hazardous enterprise, through 
the agency of colonel Andrew Williamson, was confided to cap- 
tain James M'Call, lieutenant James Baskin, and ensign 
Patrick Calhoun, with a detachment of twenty-two volunteers 
from Carolina and eleven from Georgia, The pretended ob- 
ject of this detachment was, that they were to proceed to a 
number of the largest towns in the Cherokee country, hold 
friendly conferences with their chiefs, and demand the restora- 
tion of such property as had been plundered by the loyal refu- 
gees and some unfriendly Indians, who had committed these 
depredations. The detachment rendezvoused at the Cherokee 
Ford, on Savannah river, on the 20tli of June, and marched 
for the Cherokee nation. Every preparation was made for a 
rapid retreat, in case they were opposed by a superior force. 
The orders to the commander were, to proceed to Cane creek 
before he broke the seal of his private instructions, or disclosed 
the real object of the expedition to the men who composed the 
detachment. Finding there was no disposition to shrink from 
the task which was confided to the men individually, they 
passed through several Indian towns and villages, where they 
were met, and received, with every appearance of friendship 
and hospitality ; professing a disposition to comply with the 



312 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 

requisitions which were made of them. On the evening of the 
26th, they encamped in the vicinity of a large town, where 
M'Call made known his wishes to have a discussion with the 
chiefs upon the subject of his mission. The conference was 
spun out, until a late hour of the night, when to his surprise, 
himself and his interpreter, John Ballenger, were rushed upon 
by a party of warriors, and made prisoners. About the same 
moment, the detachment under Baskin and Calhoun were sur- 
rounded by several hundreds of Indians, who drove in the sen- 
tries and attacked the camp while the men were almost all 
asleep. The precautions which had been ordered by the com- 
mander, who was aware of the treachery belonging to the In- 
dian character, had not been strictly regarded. The Indians 
rushed into the camp with guns, knives, and hatchets, and for 
a few minutes the contest was of the most sanguinary kind. So 
closely were they engaged, that James Little of Georgia, (after- 
ward colonel Little) killed two Indians with his kcife. Ensign 
Calhoun was wounded in the first onset, and the detachment 
overpowered by numbers, with the disadvantage of surprise, 
fled in disorder, cutting their way through the ranks of the 
enemy. Ensign Calhoun, John Holland, John Patterson, and 
John Huffman, were killed. After sufferings almost incredible, 
from fatigue and hunger, the remains of this detachment 
reached the settlement, in parties of three or four together, some 
on the 10th, some on the 11th, and others on the 12th day after 
the defeat. M'Call remained a prisoner for several weeks, and 
in order to give him some idea of the dreadful fate which 
awaited him, he was frequently brought up to the place of exe- 
cution, to witness the torture under which his fellow prisoners 
expired. One instance is mentioned in his journal of a boy 
about twelve years of age, who was suspended by the arms be- 
tween two posts, and raised about three feet from the ground. 
The mode of inflicting the torture, was by lightwood splits, of 
about eighteen inches long, made sharp at one end and frac- 
tured at the other, so that the torch might not be extinguished 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 313 

by throwing it. After these weapons of death were prepared, 
and a fire made for the purpose of lighting them, the scene of 
horror commenced. It was deemed a mark of dexterity, and 
accompanied by shouts of applause, when an Indian threw one 
of these torches so as to make the sharp end stick into the body 
of the suffering youth, without extinguishing the torch. This 
description of torture was continued for two hours, before the 
innocent victim was relieved by death. 

The alarm excited among the Indians, by the succeeding ope- 
rations of the American troops, softened the rigour of M'Call's 
imprisonment. He took every opportunity of impressing on 
the minds of the Indians, the consequences of murdering a 
man who visited their towns, for the purpose of delivering 
friendly talks, and smoking the pipe of peace with them; and 
that if he was murdered, his countrymen would require a great 
deal of Indian blood to atone for his life. Councils were held 
to condemn him to death, and in one instance he was saved by 
a single voice. Efforts were made, through the medium of an 
Indian woman, to obtain an interview with Cameron; but he 
peremptorily refused seeing, or having any communication 
with him. It was inferred, from this extraordinary conduct 
of Cameron, that colonel Williamson had secretly communi- 
cated to him, the plan which was adopted to bring him out of 
the nation: this opinion was strengthened by the active part, 
afterward taken by Williamson, in the royal cause. Finally, 
M'Call effected his escape; and with one pint of parched, and 
a few ears of green corn, he traversed a mountainous desert 
of three hundred miles, on horseback, without a saddle ; and 
on the ninth day after his escape ; reached the frontiers of Vir- 
ginia, where he fell in with the army under the command of 
colonel Christie, whom he joined, and returned to participate in 
the conquest of the Cherokees. iJiI'Call being anxious to ac- 
complish the original object, for which he was ordered into the 
Cherokee nation, proposed to colonel Christie, to permit him 
to select from his command, a few expert, active woodsmen, 



314 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 

to proceed a few days march in front of the army, imagining 
that Cameron might yet be taken. Christie acquiesced in the 
plan, and M'Call with four others, painted, and in Indian dress, 
entered the town in which Cameron resided, in the dusk of the 
evening, two days march in front of the army ; but to the great 
disappointment of these adventurers, Cameron had taken his 
departure for Mobile the preceding morning. 

On the night of the 30th of June, the frontier settlements, 
from Georgia to Virginia, were attacked by small parties of 
Indians, who fell upon single families at a fixed period. They 
murdered the weak and helpless, and made prisoners of a few 
of such as were able to bear the fatigue of a rapid march; for 
the purpose of making them the victims of their gratification, 
and objects on whom to glut their unfeeling and unprovoked 
vengeance. 

Scouting parties of militia had been kept on the alert, on 
the frontier, and by their vigilance only five families of Geor- 
gians fell into the hands of the savages in the first attack. The 
frontier was assailed about the time of wheat harvest: the 
fences were opened by the Indians, which gave free access to 
horses, cattle, and hogs, and in a few days, the promising ap- 
pearances of a plentiful harvest, exhibited a general mass of 
desolation and destruction. Families were crowded into stock- 
ade forts, subsisting upon coarse scanty morsels, and for many 
days without any kind of shelter from the weather. 

Colonel Samuel Jack's regiment, consisting of the young 
and active, took the field ; and the aged guarded the forts. An 
expedition had been projected against the Cherokees, in which, 
Virginia, ^orth-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, co- 
operated. Colonel Christie, with a regiment of Virginians ; 
general Rutherford, with a body of militia from ISTorth-Caro- 
lina, joined by the Catawba Indians ; colonel Williamson, with 
the South-Carolina militia ; and colonel Jack's regiment from 
Georgia ; by a previously concerted plan, fixed on the 15th of 
July, to march against the enemy, and attack and demolish 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 315 

their towns and villages, at different points. They succeeded 
in destroying all the Indian settlements, eastward of the Appa- 
lachian mountains, and brought the nation to submission in 
less than three months, with the loss of forty or fifty men. 

When the Virginia regiment marched to the Indian town, 
in which M'Call had been a prisoner, the commander was solic- 
ited to spare the hut of the Indian woman, through whose 
means he had made his escape. It was accordingly spared, and 
she was amply rewarded for her humanity. 

When Cameron heard of the approach against the Chero- 
kees ; he placed himself at the head of the Indians, aided by the 
loyal refugees ; and gave battle to a detachment of colonel Wil- 
liamson's troops, from South-Carolina, near Seneca ; and was 
their leader in several subsequent skirmishes. Finding that 
the Indians were doomed to submission, by the success of the 
American arms; he consulted his safety, and fled from the 
nation ; passing through the Creek country to Pensacola and 
thence to East-Florida, where he joined Stewart at St. Augus- 
tine. 

On the 28th of June, the British fleet entered the harbour 
of Charleston, and assaulted the fort on Sullivan's island. 
After two days hard fighting, by the gallant regiments under 
colonels Moultrie and Thomson, the British were repulsed 
with great loss. Though general Lee had taken every precau- 
tion to put the town in the best possible condition for defence ; 
the fall of fort Moultrie would have left it in imminent hazard. 
At the same time, incursions were made upon the southern set- 
tlements, from East Florida, by Brown and M'Girth. These 
three points were attacked late in June and early in July. The 
latter attack was accompanied by less fatality than it otherwise 
would have been, by the defensible preparations which had 
been made at Darien, Barrington, (afterward fort Howe,) 
Beards bluff, on the xVlatamaha, and fort M'Intosh on Sattilla 
river, which were garrisoned by companies, commanded by cap- 
tains Harris, M'Intosh, Bostwick, and Winn; the whole under 



316 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 

the command of colonel Elbert. Bodies of observation were 
kept in motion between those posts, commanded bj captains 
Scriven, Baker, and Cooper; and lieutenants Few and Wil- 
liams. These precautions, though they were distressing to the 
thinly inhabited frontiers, of which they were chiefly com- 
posed ; yet they gave temporary security against the incursions 
of small parties of the enemy. Immediately after the com- 
mencement of hostilities on the western frontier, the inhabitants 
strengthened their fortresses, and established a similar chain 
of communication and defence. Parties were also employed 
in collecting the remains of provision and other property, which 
had been left on the plantations. 

Captain Thomas Dooley had just returned from Virginia, 
where he had been employed on the recruiting service, with 
about twenty men enlisted for the continental brigade in Geor- 
gia, but he had not yet joined his regiment. Anxious to com- 
mence his military career with laurels, he advanced against a 
party of Indians, encamped near the Oconee river. Though 
the enemy outnumbered him, four to one ; he depended upon 
courage and discipline for victory. The Indians had kept their 
si)ies on the alert, and discovered his approach in time to lay 
an ambuscade, upon the route he had taken. About seven 
o'clock in the morning of the 22d of July, as he was passing 
through a cane swamp, near the Big shoals, he was attacked in 
front and flanks by a large body of Indians, covered by the 
cane. Early in the skirmish, Dooley received a ball in his leg 
which broke the bones above the ancle. Apparently regardless 
of his own condition and sufferings, he encouraged his men to 
continue the conflict, and set the example by firing his rifle 
twice at the enemy, after he had been wounded. Discovering 
that the commanding officer had fallen, the savages rushed out 
from the cane swamp to get possession of him. Lieutenant Cun- 
ningham, who was second in command, is said not to have re- 
sorted to those expedients which would have occurred to a man 
of courage and cool reflexion, by having his commanding officer 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 317 

carried off the ground. On the contrary he was charged with 
consulting his own safety, in being among the first to make a 
disorderly retreat. When the retreat commenced, Dooley called 
to his men and requested them not to leave him in the hands 
of the Indians. The last man who saw him, said that he was 
endeavouring to defend himself with the butt end of his gun, 
though he was unable to stand. Cunningham and the remainder 
retreated to the settlements. Dooley and three of his men fell 
into the hands of the Indians and were murdered. Lieutenant 
Cunningham was afterward arrested and tried for cowardice, 
by a general court martial, but was acquitted. A few days 
after Dooley's defeat, captain John Pulliam had a skirmish 
with a party of Indians on Beaverdam creek, in which two In- 
dians were killed and the remainder fled. Pulliam was 
wounded, and had one man killed. The forts were often way- 
laid by small parties of Indians, so as to cut off the communi- 
cation with the adjoining settlements. In some instances pro- 
visions had been seized and destroyed or carried off. On the 
12th of July a stock of provisions had been ordered to be laid 
in at the confluence of Broad and Savannah rivers to supply 
t^ troops under colonel Jack. Captain Elijah Clarke had 
been ordered with his company to obtain some waggons and 
escort the provisions to the rendezvous. In its vicinity, he was 
attacked by a body of Indians while he was crossing a creek. 
The Indians thought to create a panic by the sound of the war- 
whoop, succeeded by a vigorous attack. Clarke made a firm and 
vigorous defence, and after a contest, which lasted about an 
hour, the Indians retreated. Four Indians were killed: three 
of Clarke's men were killed, and himself and three others 
wounded. By these predatory incursions, the frontier settlers 
were very much harassed and distressed, before colonel Jack 
advanced to their assistance. 

Colonel Jack's command on the expedition against the Chero- 
kees, which has been heretofore alluded to, consisted of com- 
panies commanded by captains John Twiggs, John Jones, Leon- 



318 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 

ard Marbury, Samuel Alexander and Thomas Harris; the 
three former from Burke and Richmond, and the two latter 
from Wilkes. The whole number consisted of two hundred 
men. 

He marched to the Cherokee towns on the waters of Tugaloe 
and Chatahouchie. The crops of corn were destroyed ; the 
towns burned ; and a number of cattle and horses were brought 
off, without the loss of one man. The other armies from the 
northward, entered the nation at different points, about the same 
time, which rendered this united expedition completely success- 
ful. The losses of the Cherokees and the defeats they had ex- 
perienced, produced a temporary cessation of hostilities ; but 
the people were greatly distressed by the loss of their crops. 
Many families were obliged to abandon the country for want 
of provision and many that remained, were reduced to the neces- 
sity of living upon beef, without either bread or salt. 

The unfortunate and ill-fated Indians, who had been led 
into the war, by the influence of the British agents, discovered 
their error, when it was too late to provide corn for the sup- 
port of their families. Numbers of them had been driven into 
the mountains, where they subsisted upon nuts and roots: others 
were forced by the pressure of hunger, into the settlements to 
beg for bread. Humbled by defeats and the destruction of their 
to^vns and property, they sued for peace, which was granted to 
them. A treaty was afterward held at Duet's corner in South- 
Carolina, at which the commissioners from Georgia attended, 
who concurred in and signed the articles of pacification. This 
treaty was signed on the 20th of May, 1777. 

The haughty rudeness with which Great-Britain rejected the 
supplications of the colonies, for the redress of their grievances ; 
and the plundering and savage warfare, which had been prac- 
tised to awe them into submission to the arbitrary will of the 
king, had already alienated the affections of the colonists. There 
were but few of those American sages, who had been instru- 
mental in efforts for redress of grievances, that had contem- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 319 

plated the eventual independence of the colonies : but, that few 
had circulated the idea of independence and like electricity, it 
communicated to the heart of every patriotic American. To 
contend as colonies for redress, for injustice inflicted on them 
by the parent country, was in the nature of a family quarrel, in 
which neighbouring nations could have no right to interfere; 
but when Ihe colonies should assume the rank of an independent 
nation, they woidd thereby evince a determination to maintain 
their rank as such, by force of arms, and induce a favourable 
disposition toward their efforts, by European nations, jealous 
of the overgrowing power of Great-Britain. To prepare the 
minds of the people for independence, the talents of the literati 
were exerted in numerous essays. Among the multitude of 
essays which appeared upon the subject, those from the pen of 
Thomas Paine, stood pre-eminent : they strengthened the friends 
of independence ; they confirmed the wavering, and caused 
many of the enemies of the measure to doubt. x\mericans ! cast 
the mantle of charity over the imperfections of Thomas Paine, 
and render to his memory, the tribute of your gratitude, for 
the services which he hath rendered in establishing the inde- 
pendence and happiness of yourselves, as a nation ; and which 
you are bound to transmit as a heritage, to future generations. 
The time for independence drew near: while congress was 
in conclave, debating upon that subject, Mr. Zubly, a member 
from Georgia, was charged with treason by Mr. Chase, of Mary- 
land, by having disclosed the subject of deliberation to governor 
Wright of Georgia, in a letter. Zubly denied the charge of 
treason, and demanded the evidences on which he was accused. 
While Chase was collecting the proofs, Zubly disappeared. Mr. 
Houstoun, a member from Georgia, was despatched in pursuit 
of Zubly, with instructions to place the subject in its proper 
light, in the event, that any bad effects were likely to result from 
the disclosure; but before the letter reached Georgia, Wright 
had fled, and sailed for England. Independence was deter- 
mined on by congress: and by a solemn declaration of that 



320 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 

august assembly, it was proclaimed on the 4th day of July, 
1776: which day will be consecrated by Americans, so long as 
political virtue, courage, and patriotism, shall be revered. This 
interesting event was received by his excellency Archibald Bul- 
loch, president of the provincial council at Savannah, on the 
10th day of August, by express from the honourable John Han- 
cock, president of congress ; by which it appeared that "congress 
in the name, and by the authority of their constituents, had de- 
clared the United States of North-America, were, and of right 
ought to be, free and independent states, and absolved from all 
allegiance to the British crown." The provincial council was 
convened by the president, at the council chamber ; where the 
declaration of independence was proclaimed in due form : from 
thence the president and council proceeded to the public square, 
in front of the house appropriated for the deliberations of the 
provincial assembly; where the declaration was again publicly 
read, and received the acclamations of a crowded assemblage of 
the people: they then proceeded to the liberty pole, in the fol- 
lowing order of procession: — 

The Grenadiers in front. 

Provost Marshal. 

The Secretary with the Declaration. 

His excellency the President. 

The honourable Council. 

The Light Infantry. 

The Militia. 

The Citizens. 

At the liberty pole, they were saluted by the first continental 
battalion of Georgia, under the command of colonel M'Intosh, 
with thirteen guns, accompanied by voUies of small arms ; from 
thence they proceeded to the battery, where they were again 
saluted by the discharge of thirteen cannon. 

A dinner was provided under a grove of cedars, where the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 321 

civil and military officers, and a number of citizens from the 
town and country partook of a handsome dinner, and thirteen 
toasts were given suitable to the occasion. 

In the afternoon there was a funeral procession, attended by 
the grenadiers, light infantry, and militia companies ; and the 
royal government of Great-Britain was interred with the cus- 
tomary ceremonies. In the evening the town was illuminated 
and the day was closed with joyful acclamations, for the birth 
of the independence of the United-States of America. 

The following proclamation was issued a few days after the 
declaration of independence was received in Savannah: — 

"Georgia. 

"By his excellency Archibald Bulloch, Esq. president and 
commander-in-chief of the said state in council. 

"Whereas, it has been resolved by congress, that it be rec- 
ommended to the representative assemblies and conventions of 
the United-States, where no government equal to the exigencies 
of their affairs, has been established, to adopt such government, 
as shall in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best 
conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in par- 
ticular, and America in general. And whereas, the honourable 
the congress of the United-States has received no answer what- 
ever to the humble petitions of these states, for the redress of 
grievances; and seeing the whole force of Great-Britain, aided 
by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of 
the good people of these states ; have judged it necessary to dis- 
solve all connection between Great-Britain and the said United- 
States, and have accordingly declared them to be free and inde- 
pendent states. And whereas, we have received sundry des- 
patches from our delegates at Philadelphia, enclosing blank 
commissions for letters of marque, with copies of bonds, and 
other matters of public business: And whereas, the term for 
which our state legislature were appointed, will expire on the 
last day of the present month of August, and a new election is 
21 



322 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1116. 

ordered to be held throughout this state, between the first and 
tenth days of September next, for the purpose of choosing rep- 
resentatives, to meet in convention at Savannah, on the first 
Tuesday in October. Taking these premises into consideration, 
I have thought fit, by and with the consent of the council, to 
order the several parishes and districts within this state, to pro- 
ceed to the election "of delegates, between the first and tenth 
days of September next, to form and sit in convention ; and the 
delegates so elected, are directed to convene at Savannah, on the 
first Tuesday in October following, when business of the highest 
consequence to the government and welfare of the state, will be 
opened for their consideration." 

The president directed that a circular letter should be ad- 
dressed by the secretary to the inhabitants of the several par- 
ishes and districts of this state ; congratulating them upon the 
happy and important prospect of their political affairs, enjoin- 
ing upon them the necessity of making choice of upright and 
good men to represent them in the ensuing convention ; remind- 
ing them of the dissolution of their former connection with 
Great-Britain, and that America must stand or fall by the vir- 
tue of her inhabitants ; consequently, the utmost caution must 
necessarily be used by the people of this state, in choosing men 
of unsuspected characters, men whose actions had proved their 
friendship to the cause of freedom, and men whose depth of 
political judgment qualified them to frame a constitution for 
the future government of the country. In this weak link of the 
western empire, he enjoined them to pursue such measures and 
to adopt such forms of government as to conciliate the affections 
of the United-States ; for under their shadow, they would find 
safety, and preserve to themselves those invaluable rights which 
they had so long and ineffectually solicited, and for which they 
determined now to contend, though they should be purchased 
with garments rolled in blood.' 

Another proclamation was issued for the encouragement of 
the recruiting service, under a resolution of the last assembly, 



' HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 323 

by which it was provided : ''That all persons enlisting in the 
service of this state, who do faithfully serve in the present con- 
test, until a peace shall be concluded with Great-Britain, or 
shall serve three years in the present war, shall be entitled to 
one hundred acres of land ; and should any of the aforesaid 
men be killed in defence of this state, his wife or family shall 
be entitled to the same." 

By a resolution of the preceding legislature, the general court 
of this state was to be opened and held under certain restric- 
tions at the several and respective times and places that the 
court of general sessions of the peace and oyer and terminer, 
were directed to be opened and held on the second Tuesdays in 
February, June and October. 

When the declaration of independence was received at Sa- 
vannah, the venerable Jonathan Bryan, whose services for the 
advantage of Georgia had always been offered whenever they 
could be beneficial, repaired to Charleston for the purpose of 
having a conference with general Charles Lee; the object of 
which was, to project a plan of operations to gain possession of 
St. Augustine. He represented the numerous depredations, 
which had been so severely felt on the frontier of Georgia, by 
the refugee banditti collected in that province from the south- 
ern states, and the consequences which were to be apprehended 
from its being made a strong hold, by reinforcements of British 
troops. That it was then in a weak and defenceless condition, 
and with a small force might be reduced. The king's govern- 
Tiient had acquired strength, and the American government had 
been enfeebled, by the panic which had been excited from that 
quarter. The loyalists rejoiced at the depredations which had 
been committed, and the wavering were disposed to lean to- 
ward the strongest party. 

General Lee foresaw the great advantages which would result 
from the reduction of Florida, and ordered the Virginia and 
Xorth-Carolina troops to march immediately to Georgia, under 
the command of general Howe ; and general Moultrie to follow 



324 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1776. 

with the troops of South-Carolina. General Howe proceeded as 
far as Siinbury. The sickly season had now commenced and 
disease prevailed to an alarming degree. The mortality was 
so great, that from ten to fifteen, became victims to the climate 
in one day. That general Lee was not well prepared for the 
contemplated expedition, it is only necessary to mention that 
he had not a single field piece, nor a medicine chest in the army. 

The Carolina troops arrived in Savannah about the last of 
August. General Lee proposed to general Moultrie, to take com- 
mand of the expedition, and asked him whether his brother 
being the lieutenant-governor of East-Florida, would form an 
objection. He replied that it would not, but that he did not 
see the probability of procuring provisions, artillery, and other 
necessaries, to promise success to the object of the campaign ; 
and in his estimate, he required eight hundred men. General 
Moultrie had exhibited his estimates and the army was pre- 
paring to march, when an express arrived from the general 
government, ordering general Lee to join the grand army to 
the north. About the 20th of September, Lee left Savannah, 
and ordered the Virginia and ISTorth-Carolina troops to follow 
him. This put an end to the hopes, which had been contem- 
plated for the reduction of St. Augustine. Its failure gave con- 
fidence to the enemy, and induced many to join them, who had 
previously been inactive. I^Totwithstanding the influence of 
Stewart over the Indians, the Creek tribes had never heartily 
entered into the war; small parties only, had joined the Flori- 
dians in their predatory excursions. When the Cherokees were 
pressed by the armies which marched against them, they solic- 
ited the aid and alliance of the Creeks ; but a shrewd old chief 
remarked, "you have taken the thorns out of our feet; you are 
welcome to them." 

In January 1777, colonel Lachlan M'Intosh, ordered the 
Georgia continental troops to be distributed among the garri- 
sons at Darien, fort Howe, Beards bluff, and fort M'Intosh. A 
detachment marching to Beards bluff, under the command of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 325 

lieutenant Bugg, was surprised by a party of Indians, ambushed 
in the swamp of Beards creek. Three of Bugg's men were 
killed, and his party defeated. Captain Chesley Bostwick's 
company was ordered to that place, and built a small stockade 
fort. 

Lieutenant-colonel Elbert received intelligence that a party 
was marching from St. Augustine, consisting of regulars, loyal- 
ists and Indians. Fort M'Intosh was a small stockade work of 
one hundred feet square, on rising ground, on the north-east 
side of Sattilla river, eighty yards from the waters edge, and 
thirty miles in advance of fort Howe. It had a bastion in each 
corner, and a block house in the centre, which answered for the 
combined purposes of a lodgement for the troops, a magazine, 
and a place of defence. Captain Richard Winn's command 
consisted of forty men from the third South-Carolina regiment, 
and twenty continental troops from the Georgia brigade. 

On the lYth of February, about the dawn of day, an attempt 
was made to surprise the garrison, by colonels Brown, Cun- 
ningham, and M'Girth, with seventy Florida rangers, and 
eighty Indians. The assault was continued without intermis- 
sion for five hours, when a demand was made for a surrender, 
without any conditions, accompanied by threats of death to 
the whole garrison, in case of refusal. Captain Winn proposed 
that hostilities should cease for an hour, and at the expiration 
of that time, he gave the following answer, "I have considered 
your proposition, but am bound in honor not to comply. Should 
we fall into your hands we shall expect to be treated as pris- 
oners of war." This letter was handed to colonel Brown by 
Serjeant HoUis, with a flag. Brown presented a copy of Lord 
and general Howe's proclamation to the serjeant, with a request 
that it should be handed to captain Winn. Hostilities re-com- 
menced and were continued until late in the afternoon. At this 
time, Winn had one man killed, and three wounded. The lat- 
ter suffered greatly, for the want of a surgeon to dress their 
wounds. Brown withdrew his command a short distance, and 



826 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 

posted strong guards around the fort, to prevent the besieged 
from making a retreat under cover of the night. 

Immediately after dark, captain Winn sent an express, by 
sergeant Owens, to colonel Francis Harris, at fort Howe, in- 
forming him of his critical situation, and requesting immedi- 
ate reinforcement. Under the assurance that this request would 
be complied with, he would hold out as long as possible, and at 
the first signal, he would sally out upon the enemy, when the 
reinforcement commenced an attack upon the rear. The ex- 
press arrived at fort Howe about day light the next morning, 
but the garrison consisted of only forty men fit for duty, con- 
sequently, unable to furnish the reinforcement which Winn had 
required. 

Brown waited for the reinforcement which was to join him 
the next morning, from the south side of the river, under the 
command of colonel Fuser, consisting of detachments of light 
infantry from the fourteenth, sixteenth, and sixtieth regiments, 
consisting of two hundred men. The assault was renewed 
about nine o'clock in the morning, from the most advantageous 
positions which could be selected. The Indians made near ap- 
proaches, and sheltered themselves behind logs and stumps, and 
very much annoyed the besieged by keeping a close watch upon 
the loopholes. 

The hope was still cherished by the garrison, that, reinforce- 
ment was at hand, and the moment was looked for with anxiety, 
when they were to join their countrymen in the open field 
against the enemy. About three o'clock, another demand was 
made for the surrender of the garrison. Winn thought it im- 
portant to gain time, and wasted away two hours in consultation 
with his officers. Despairing of the arrival of a reinforcement, 
and finding upon examination that his ammunition was nearly 
expended, and that he had not more provision than would last 
one day, he found his condition too critical to risk a continu- 
ance of defence, beyond the time allowed for the arrival of as- 
sistance, which he now considered as having elapsed. Under 



HISTOBY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 327 

these unpropitioiis prospects, he thought it best to accept the 
most advantageous terms which could be obtained, before he 
was reduced to the necessity of an unconditional surrender, for 
want of the means of defence. 

Captain Winn proposed a personal conference with colonel 
Fuser, and it was agreed to meet upon a middle ground between 
the fort and the enemy. The articles of capitulation were 
drawn up and agreed to, except one that was offered by captain 
Winn, which perhaps, under any other circumstances, would not 
have been considered necessary. It required, "that for the fur- 
ther safety of the prisoners against Indian treachery, a coin- 
plete company of British regulars, should escort them to the 
Alatamaha, opposite to fort Howe, and that the British com- 
mander should be responsible for the conduct of the Indians 
and Florida rangers toward the prisoners." Fuser peremp- 
torily rejected this article, and refused to become responsible, 
except for the conduct of the British regulars. This language 
suggested more strongly to the mind of Winn, the necessity of 
this article's being incorporated, and he peremptorily refused 
to surrender, if it was rejected. He adverted to t]ie fatal con- 
sequences which had resulted from the surrender of a fort on 
the borders of Canada, under similar circumstances, where the 
prisoners were delivered up to the Indians, and murdered. He 
also suggested the cruelty which he had good grounds to expect 
from such characters as Brown, Cunningham, and M'Girth, 
aided by the savage disposition of Cussuppa, the chief and com- 
mander of the Creek Indians. As he was taking his leave, he 
added, that he did not despair of defending the fort until he 
was reinforced. 

When Winn represented these circumstances to his com- 
mand, they united in the determination to defend the fort, and 
die honorably. While the garrison expected a re-commence- 
ment of hostilities, Fuser renewed the negociation to surrender, 
agreeing to introduce the article which he had previously I'e- 
jected, upon which the garrison surrendered. 



328 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 

The terms of capitulation, were, that the garrison should 
not take up arms in the American cause, until regularly ex- 
changed, and that lieutenants John Milton, and William Cald- 
well, should be surrendered as hostages, for the performance 
of the stipulations contained in the articles of capitulation. It 
was also agreed to allow the hostages all the privileges due to 
their rank as commissioned officers of the continental army. 
These officers were taken to St. Augustine, where they were 
confined in the castle for nine months, before they were ex- 
changed. 

About sun-set, captain Winn and lieutenant Toles marched 
out and surrendered the garrison in due form, and after pass- 
ing through the customary ceremonies, and having their side 
arms restored, they proceeded about two miles in the direction 
of fort Howe, under an escort, where they encamped for the 
night. Early in the evening, the British officers and soldiers 
who composed the guard, gradually disappeared, and under 
various pretexts, returned in small parties to the British camp. 
Before ten o'clock the American prisoners were left without 
a guard. Remonstrances against this procedure, were treated 
with contempt and ridiculed by the officers of the guard, al- 
leging that any apprehension of danger, was without founda- 
tion. Having a correct idea of the Indian character, Winn sus- 
pected that some treachery was about to be practised upon his 
men, who were left without protection, or the means of defence. 
He roused up his men, and to avoid falling into the hands of 
the Indians, took a direction through the woods for fort Howe, 
and after passing through bays, swamps, and ponds, about 
thirty-five miles, which had probably never been traversed be- 
fore by any human being, he reached fort Howe the next day 
about ten o'clock. 

Though a young officer, captain Winn had distinguished him- 
self at Sullivan's island, on the 28th of June 1776, under the 
command of colonel Moultrie. This circumstance, added to 
the firm and manly tone, in which he demanded the means of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 329 

safety for himself and his command ; probably saved him from 
a similar fate, to those unfortunate American prisoners, who 
afterward fell into the hands of colonel Brown, after the first 
attack made by the Americans at Augusta, which will be no- 
ticed hereafter. Apprehensive, that preparations were making 
in Georgia, to meet Fuser with a superior force, he returned 
to East-Florida. 

The objects contemplated by erecting a fort on Sattilla river, 
so far in advance of the line of defence, on the north-east side 
of Alatamaha, is not well understood. It is probable that the 
security of the numerous herds of cattle, which ranged be- 
tween those two rivers, was the only reason that could be as- 
signed. The situation was well chosen for this purpose, if it 
had been strongly garrisoned. 

During the session of the assembly in Savannah, a resolution 
was passed to add three battalions of infantry, and a squadron 
of dragoons, to the Georgia troops on the continental establish- 
ment, and form it into a brigade; of which colonel Lachlan 
M'Intosh was appointed brigadier-general, to take rank from 
the 16th of September 1776. The supernumerary field officers 
in the second, third, and fourth battalions, were appointed to 
fill the vacancies, made by the promotions of M'Intosh and 
Elbert of the first. It would be as difficult as it would be un- 
necessary, to notice the promotions which were made during 
a seven years war. 



CHAPTER V. 

IN obedience to the proclamatiou of the president of the pro- 
vincial council, the members of the convention met in Sa- 
vannah, to form a constitution for the future government 
of the state ; which was not completed until the 5th of Febru- 
ary. The fundamental principles of this constitution, were, 
the final dissolution of all political connection with the crown 
of Grreat-Britain ; the recommendation of congress to form 
a constitution; and the declaration of the independence of the 
United-States. The legislative, executive, and judiciary de- 
partments of the government, to be separate and distinct. The 
governor to have the chief command over the naval and land 
forces of the state, and to be aided in the executive functions 
of the government, by a council consisting of two members from 
each county, to be chosen from the county representatives by 
the legislature. The representatives to be chosen annually by 
the people. The state was divided into eight counties, in each 
of which a superior court was to be held twice a year, under the 
control of the chief justice of the state, and three or more jus- 
tices of the county. The delegates to the congress of the 
United-States, to be elected by the legislature, annually, and 
to have a right to sit, debate, and vote in the house of assembly 
of the state. The assembly to meet annually, on the first Tues- 
day in January ; but the governor, with the advice of the ex- 
ecutive council, had the power to call a meeting of the assembly 
at any other time, if any extraordinary occasion should render 
it necessary; The princij)les of the habeas corpus, to be a part 
of the constitution. The freedom of the press, and trial by 
jury, to remain inviolate forever. The constitution has since, 
imdergone several alterations. 

Soon after the adjournment of the convention, the state sus- 
tained the loss of one of her most valuable citizens, in the de- 
cease of the honourable Archibald Bulloch, president of the 
provincial council. He had filled the most important offices 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1111. 331 

that the state could confer upon him; and by his mild, firm, 
and dignified deportment, commanded the respect and esteem 
of his fellow-citizens. He was one of the four gentlemen who 
invited the republicans of Georgia, to rally round the standard 
of freedom, at the liberty pole in Savannah. The remainder 
of his useful life, was ardently and zealously devoted to the 
union of Georgia with the other states in the common cause. 
He announced the declaration of independence, during his ex- 
ecutive administration, and aided in the formation of a con- 
stitution for its government. 

The following extract from one of his letters, evidences the 
enthusiasm of his disposition to discountenance the habits of 
official pomp, which in his opinion did not correspond with the 
principles of a republican government. The commanding offi- 
cer of the continental troops in Savannah, deeming it a com- 
pliment due to his high station, as president of the state coun- 
cil, had furnished him with a life guard in time of war ; and 
posted a sentinel at his door, and an orderly to attend his per- 
son: after requesting that the guard should be withdrawn, he 
says, "I act for a free people, in whom I have the most entire 
confidence, and I wish upon all occasions to avoid the appear- 
ances of ostentation." 

On the 2 2d of February, Button Gwinnett, was chosen presi- 
dent of the council, and Edward Langworthy, secretary. The 
situation of public affairs, after the adoption of the constitu- 
tion, required that no time should be lost in calling a meeting 
of the legislature. The president issued a proclamation, re- 
quiring the election of members in the several counties, and 
that the assembly should convene on the first Tuesday in May. 

It was to be expected that in framing a new system of gov- 
ernment, the duties and powers of its component parts, would 
not be well understood. Jealousies arose between those who 
were placed at the heads of the different departments ; particu- 
larly between the civil and military. President Gwinnett and 
colonel M'Intosh had been candidates for the appointment of 



332 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1111. 

lirigadier-general, to command the four continental battalions 
or regiments, raised and to be raised in Georgia. The friends 
of these gentlemen had warmly interested themselves for their 
favourite candidate, and some ill-natured comments had es- 
caped from them, respecting the political and military talents 
of each other. M'Intosh was finally the successful candidate. 
Gwinnett had the address to gain over to his interest, a large 
majority of the executive council; and in order to mortify the 
military pride of his adversary, endeavoured to impress the 
public mind with the dangerous consequences of vesting mili- 
tary commanders and courts-martial, with the exercise of any 
power, which could be withheld from them, and exercised by 
the civil authority. 

This ill-judged system was often complained of by general 
Washington, who frequently felt the baleful effects of its influ- 
ence. The exercise of the powers assumed by Gwinnett, over 
the army, produced the contempt and disrespect of some of 
the inferior officers toward the general, and destroyed the basis 
of military discipline. When any of the officers were charged 
with offences, civil or military, Gwinnett claimed the right 
of trying the offenders before the executive council. If an offi- 
cer was ordered on command or detachment, he was selected 
by, and received his orders from the president and council. 
Gwinnett projected an expedition against East-Florida, which 
he contemplated carrying on with the militia and continental 
troops, and without consulting general M'Intosh upon the sub- 
ject, or giving him the command of his own brigade. He had 
a number of printed proclamations prepared, to be issued so 
soon as he should cross St. Mary's river, and hoist the standard 
of liberty in that province ; and was of opinion that there was 
nothing necessary for the accomplishment of this object, but 
the show of an army, with a man of talents at its head, to en- 
courage the people of that province to change its government. 

This expedition was to be commanded by Gwinnett in per- 
son. The province contained but few actual inhabitants, and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 333 

those were generally warm advocates for the government of the 
crown of Great-Britain. The strength of East-Florida, con- 
sisted of loyal refugees from the two Carolinas and Georgia. 
'Ro reliance was placed upon the produce of the province, for 
subsistence or forage. Rice was plundered from the planters 
on the sea-coast ; and the forest between Alatamaha and St. 
Mary's, abounded with horned cattle. From these circum- 
stances, the chimerical plan of Gwinnett was discountenanced 
by his friends, and relinquished. 

A brother of general M'Intosh, who had embarked with great 
zeal in the American cause, had engaged in a speculation with 
a British merchant, and despatched some vessels laden with 
rice and flour to Surinam, for which he had a licence from the 
committee of safety. The British merchant had procured other 
clearances from St. Augustine, for the same vessels, to proceed 
to British ports. If this circumstance was known to Mr. George 
M'Intosh, Mr. Houstoun, and Mr. Bailie, who were concerned 
in the speculation, it was a direct violation of the resolution 
of congress, which prohibited all intercourse with the enemy. 
In order to mortify general M'Intosh, and destroy his influ- 
ence and military pride, his brother became an object of Gwin- 
nett's particular resentment and persecution. His utmost ex- 
ertions were used to make unfavourable impressions on the pub- 
lic mind, against the political principles of the general ; assert- 
ing that it was dangerous to entrust him with a military com- 
mission of such high grade. 

l^otwithstanding the courage and bravery of which M'Intosh 
had given ample proofs, in every instance where they had been 
tested; he appears to have been opposed from principle, to af- 
fairs in single combat : but on this occasion he was obliged to 
yield to his feelings and the public opinion. At the meeting 
of the general assembly, on the 8th of May, John Adam Truit- 
len, opposed Gwinnett for the government of Georgia, and the 
appointment was confered upon him by a large majority. Gen- 
eral M'Intosh remarked in presence of the council, that Gwin- 



334 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 

nett was a scoundrel, and that he was gratified at Truitlen's 
election. On the 15th, Gwinnett sent M'Intosh a challenge, 
demanding a meeting the next morning at run-rise, to give him 
satisfaction. They met accordingly and exchanged a shot at 
the short distance of twelve feet ; both were wounded near the 
same part in the thigh. M'Intosh recovered, but Gwinnett's 
wound proved mortal, and he died on the twelfth day after the 
combat. 

Gwinnett appears to have been a man of considerable literary 
talents, but hasty in his decisions, overbearing in his temper, 
and wild and excentric in his plans. The outlines of the con- 
stitution of Georgia were attributed to his pen, and he was in 
congress at the time independence was declared, and subscribed 
to that ever to be remembered instrument of freedom. 

Though general M'Intosh appears to have been drawn into 
this duel, without his own approval of such a resort, yet the 
friends of Gwinnett were not satisfied with the issue. Mr. Hall 
and Mr. Wood, who were members of the executive council, 
brought up the subject before the legislature, and charged the 
county magistrates, and more particularly judge Glen, with 
neglect of duty, because M'Intosh had not been bound over to 
stand his trial for the murder of his opponent. Upon hearing 
the course which was about to be pursued, general M'Intosh 
surrendered himself to the judge ; was bound over for his ap- 
pearance, tried and acquitted. 

Colonel Walton of Georgia, and colonel Laurens of South- 
Carolina, who were then in congress at Philadelphia, and ap- 
pear to have been the particular friends of general M'Intosh, 
were apprehensive that the party divisions in Georgia, might 
terminate injuriously to the American cause. These gentle- 
men apprized general M'Intosh of their apprehensions, and re- 
quested his permission to apply to general Washington, to give 
him a command in the northern army, until the existing differ- 
ences should subside. M'Intosh reluctantly yielded to a re- 
moval from his own .state, so long as it required the services of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 335 

an officer of his own rank ; but he submitted to it, under the 
influence of those political motives which had been offered by 
his friends. 

About this time, the hostile temper of the Indians against 
the frontiers of New- York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, re- 
quired that a brigade should be distributed into small garrisons, 
to cover that extensive country, and check the incursions of that 
much dreaded enemy. M'Intosh's experience and knowledge of 
the Indian character, induced general Washington to select him 
for this command. 

On the 6th of August, the commander in chief ordered gen- 
eral M'Intosh to repair to head quarters, for the purpose of re- 
ceiving further orders to proceed to Pittsburgh, and take the 
command of the brigade destined for that service, north-west of 
the Allegany mountains. He was directed to select two offi- 
cers, from his own brigade, to act in the capacities of deputy 
adjutant general and brigade-major, who were to constitute his 
suite. Captains Lachlan M'Intosh and John Berrien were ap- 
pointed to these offices, and the general proceeded to head quar- 
ters, and thence to Pittsburgh. He did not return to Georgia 
until July 1778. 

At the commencement of the contest between the colonies and 
Great-Britain, Mr. George M'Intosh, brother to the general, 
had taken an active share in it, on the part of his country, and 
had been appointed a member of the committee of safety, in 
the parish of St. John, afterward Liberty county. In the 
month of May 1776, William Panton, a British merchant, 
brought into Sunbury a quantity of goods, such as planes, osna- 
burghs, salt, sugar, &c. Panton finding that these articles were 
in great demand, solicited permission from the committee to 
dispose of them, and to receive rice in return. The committee 
consented to his proposal, if he would give bond and security, 
agreeably to the resolution of congress, that the rice and other 
produce should not be landed in any port, subject to Great- 
Britain. 



336 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 

Mr. George M'Intosh, Sir Patrick Houstoiiii, and George 
Bailie, also applied to the committee, and obtained permission 
to ship rice to Surinam, giving bond and security, that it should 
not be landed in a British port. They had purchased from 
Panton, goods to a considerable amount, and gave bills of ex- 
change, signed by Patrick Houstoun and George Bailie, on 
their consignee, at Surinam, for payment. The vessels were 
regularly cleared out at Sunbury, but papers changing the char- 
acter and destination of these vessels, had been previously fur- 
nished by governor Tonyn of East-Florida, and all the cargoes 
were carried into British ports. Every effort made, both by 
the friends and enemies of M'Intosh, to obtain evidence from 
Tonyn upon this subject, failed. Whether his motives were 
to excite suspicion, and cherish party divisions in Georgia ; or 
whether he was unwilling to commit himself, by a contradic- 
tion of the assertions he had made in a letter, to Lord George 
Germain, founded upon the loose observations which Panton 
said had fallen from him in the presence of the governor ; has 
never been made known to the public, nor would he assign any 
reason for withholding it. Charges were afterward exhibited 
against George M'Intosh, founded on the letter above-men- 
tioned, which was intercepted at sea, and transmitted to the 
president and council of Georgia. The following is an ex- 
tract. ''I had also the honour to write to your Lordship, that 
I expected from sundry places, supplies of provisions, but have 
not so effectually succeeded in any of them, as I have in those 
taken up by Mr. Panton. He has now brought four hundred 
barrels of rice into St. John's river: one thousand more are 
shipped, and expected to arrive every hour. Mr. Panton exe- 
cuted this business with great hazard to his life and fortune. 
He has been greatly assisted by Mr. George M'Intosh, who is 
compelled to a tacit acquiescence with the distempered times, 
and is one of the rebel congress from Georgia, intentionally to 
mollify and temporize, and to be of all the use in his power. I 
am informed that his principles are a loyal attachment to the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 337 

king and constitution. He would, my Lord, be in a dangerous 
situation, was this known." There, does not appear to have 
been any grounds for the assertion made by Tonyn, respect- 
ing the great hazard to which Panton had exposed his life, nor 
had Mr. M'Intosh ever been a member of congress. The mas- 
ters of the brig, the schooner, and the sloop, which had been 
freighted, appeared before the council and deposed, that these 
vessels were laden with rice and flour, by Sir Patrick Hous- 
toun, George M'Intosh, and Robert Bailie, and that they sailed 
under a clearance for Surinam; but that they were afterward 
boarded in the mouth of Sapelo river, near the bar, by William 
Panton, who observed that the cargoes belonged to him, and 
that they must change their destination for British ports. Ac- 
cordingly the brig was ordered to proceed to the West Indies, 
the schooner to St. Augustine, and the sloop to St. John's river. 
The witnesses disavowed having any instructions or authority 
to this effect by the shippers, but that they were informed, that 
Panton had bills of exchange for the proceeds of these cargoes, 
upon the consignee at Surinam ; and that in consequence of such 
information, and Panton's exhibiting the bills signed by Hous- 
toun and Bailie, they had consented to obey his instructions. 

On the 8th of January, Gleorge M'Intosh was seized by order 
of the president and council, and lodged in prison, where he 
remained several months, before he was admitted to bail. The 
powers of the judiciary, to interfere by habeas corpus, were 
questioned by the executive, alleging that this was an offence 
against the United-States, over which the judge of an individual 
state had no jurisdiction. It was contended on the other side, 
that if the power was not vested in the judiciary of an individ- 
ual state, neither was it vested in the executive of an individual 
state; therefore the case could only be decided by congress. 

It appeared from the depositions of John Perroneau, and 
George Bellenger, that they had conversed with William Pan- 
ton in Augustine, upon the subject of M'Intosh's prosecution. 
Panton observed, ''That he lamented the unfortunate situation 
22 



338 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, mi. 

of M'Intosh, because he believed him to be entirely innocent 
of the charges alleged against him: that he had merely repre- 
sented Mr. M'Intosh to governor Tonyn, as a man of honour 
and principle, and that he believed him to be sincerely attached 
to the rights and liberties of America." These depositions and 
many others were taken before judge Glen, on the part of M'ln- 
tosh, to invalidate the extract of Tonyn's letter to Lord George 
Germain. Bailie and Houstoun, were both placed upon the 
bill of confiscation and banishment: M'Intosh was not. M'ln- 
tosh was rigorously prosecuted ; while no notice whatever was 
taken of Houstoun or Bailie. The warm interest which ap- 
pears to have been taken by Jonathan Bryan, John Wereat, and 
Henry Laurens, in their letters to several members of congress, 
appears to place the innocence of M'Intosh, beyond a doubt. 
These gentlemen represent the prosecution of M'Intosh, as the 
growth of party dispute, in which George M'Intosh is made 
the victim of gratification, to the vengeance of the general's ene- 
mies. In addition to his personal sufferings, his property was 
carried off before he was brought to trial, and squandered in 
such way, that his heirs have never been able to collect it. 
When he was admitted to bail, he took his departure for the head 
quarters of the United- States, with the intention of laying his 
case before congress: he was pursued and overtaken in North- 
Carolina, by a military party, commanded by captain ISTash, 
who was directed to take him a prisoner and carry him to con- 
gress. Nash was taken sick on the way, and died soon after. 
M'Intosh arrived at the seat of government on the 9th of Oc- 
tober, where he presented his memorial and the depositions for 
and against himself; and prayed congress to examine and de- 
cide upon his case. Congress accordingly took up the matter, 
upon which order was taken as follows: — 

"In Congress, October 9th, 1777. Upon considering the pa- 
pers received from the president of the state of Georgia, respect- 
ing George M'Intosh, taken into custody, in consequence of in- 
formation transmitted, and a request made by congress to the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 339 

government of the said state, and the memorial of the said 
George M'Intosh, praying congress to take his case into con- 
sideration. Resolved, that a committee of three be appointed to 
examine into the said papers and memorial, and report their 
opinion, whether there is sufficient cause before congress for the 
detention of the said George M'Intosh, in order that if such 
cause appears, he may be sent a prisoner to the state of Georgia, 
of which he is a citizen, for trial ; or otherwise may be dis- 
charged." The members chosen to constitute this committee, 
were Messrs. J. Adams, Duane, and Williams. 

"In Congress, October 10th, 1777. The committee to whom 
were referred the papers, received from the president of the 
state of Georgia, respecting George M'Intosh, taken into cus- 
tody, in consequence of information transmitted, and a request 
made by congress to the government of the state of Georgia, and 
the memorial of the said George M'Intosh, praying congress 
to take his case into consideration; report, that they have ex- 
amined into the said papers and memorial, and are of opinion, 
that there is not sufficient cause before congress for the deten- 
tion of the said George M'Intosh: Whereupon resolved, That 
the said George M'Intosh be discharged." If Mr. M'Intosh 
was friendly to the royal cause, he did not give those evidences 
of it afterward, which were given by many of his prosecutors ; 
by surrendering voluntarily, and taking protection under the 
British government. 

During the revolutionary war, general Washington was fre- 
quently embarrassed in his military operations, by the inter- 
ference of the civil departments of the states, as well as of the 
general government. Under the administration of president 
Gwinnett, in Georgia, similar causes produced the same effects. 
His first plan for the reduction of East-Florida, having failed ; 
he contemplated a second, under the command of colonel Elbert, 
with the continental troops, and colonel Baker, with the militia. 
The plan of operation, appears to have been concerted by presi- 



340 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1111. 

dent Gwinnett and his council, under the denomination of a 
council of war. Colonel Baker was ordered to proceed by land 
with the militia ; and colonel Elbert, with the continental troops 
by water, in small vessels and boats, by the inland passage. 
Four hundred continental troops embarked in three gallies, and 
several small boats, constituted Elbert's command, Sawpit 
bluff, twelve miles from the mouth of St. John's river, was 
agreed upon as the place of rendezvous, on the 12th of May. 
In conformity with these arrangements, colonel Elbert em- 
barked, after the necessary preparations were made, allowing 
himself sufficient time to reach the place of rendezvous, at the 
time appointed. 

Colonel Baker appears to have embarked with sanguine ex- 
pectation of the success of this expedition, but the exercise of 
his best eft'orts, brought to his standard only one hundred and 
nine volunteers, including officers ; which was far short of the 
requisite number to accomplish the plans which had been pro- 
jected. With this force he marched to fort Howe, where he 
was again disappointed in his expectations of being joined by 
colonel Sumpter with the South-Carolina troops. Sumpter had 
received orders from general Howe, to march the next morning 
to Savannah, and thence to Carolina. The Alatamaha river 
was so high as not only to fill its banks, but to cover the low 
grounds from one hill to the other. With great difficulty. 
Baker's command effected a passage over it in two days. On 
the morning of the 4th of May, he was attacked by a party of 
Indians, who rushed into his camp at the dawn of day : lieuten- 
ants Kobeson, and Frazer were wounded, and one Indian killed. 
The skirmish lasted but a few minutes, when the Indians fled. 
Baker pursued them with forty men, to Finholloway creek, 
about twelve miles from his camp, but not being able to come 
up with them, he returned. The next morning he marched for 
his destination, where he arrived on the 12th, without the oc- 
currence of any difficulties, except from the delay, necessarily 
occasioned in crossing Sattilla and St. Mary's rivers, which 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 341 

he effected on rafts, and by swimming his horses. Finding that 
colonel Elbert had not yet arrived, major William Baker was 
detached with forty men to reconnoitre the country as far as 
Cowford, on St. John's river. In reconnoitring he fell in with 
one Barefield, an inhabitant of the province, who informed him 
that he had been surrounded by fifteen Indians, and taken pris- 
oner, the preceding morning; but when they were informed 
that he was a Floridian, they permitted him to proceed upon 
his business. He also observed to Baker that he had seen two 
spies on their way to St. Augustine, by whom he was informed 
that there was a large body of American troops on their march 
toward that province, and that St. Augustine was supposed to 
be their destination. 

On the night of the 15th, some Indians were discovered near 
the camp, and fired on by a sentinel, and the next morning about 
forty horses were missing. Colonel Baker pursued on the track 
about four miles, and discovered the horses, hobbled, along the 
margin of a thick swamp, which gave strong indications of an 
ambuscade being formed by the enemy. To avoid falling into 
it, and bring off the horses, required courage and caution ; as 
the number of the enemy was not known to him. A few men 
were ordered to dismount and pass round as secretly as possible, 
and cut the horses loose ; while the remainder presented them- 
selves on open ground at a distance, to divert the attention of 
the Indians ; and so soon as the horses were cut loose from 
their fastenings, another party of the horsemen were to charge 
in between the horses and the swamp, and drive them off. This 
was effected with the loss of two men wounded, and four or five 
horses killed. The Indians pursued them about a mile, and 
though there were but fifteen of them, Baker could not prevail 
upon his men to give them battle. He retreated to his camp, 
paraded all his force and returned ; but the Indians had fled and 
set fire to the woods to prevent a pursuit upon their trail, leav- 
ing one Indian on the ground, who had been killed. 

Four days elapsed after the time appointed to form a junc- 



342 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 

tion with colonel Elbert, and no intelligence had been received 
from him. Baker knew that the enemy at St,^ Augustine were 
apprized of his situation and knew his force, which excited 
alarm for the safety of his command ; but until he heard from 
Elbert, he was unwilling to abandon the expedition. On the 
morning of the 17th he determined to change his encampment, 
and take a position more favourable, in the event of his being 
overpowered and compelled to retreat. He had marched but a 
short distance, when some mounted militia and Indians, under 
the command of colonel M'Girth, appeared in his front and 
fired a gun, which he supposed to be a signal for the main body 
of the enemy in the rear. Colonel Baker ordered his men to 
dismount and prepare for action. Twenty or thirty fled into 
a swamp, without firing a gun. The remainder dismounted 
and a brisk skirmish ensued for about five minutes, when the 
Americans began to retreat. The main body of the enemy, com- 
manded by colonel Brown, had been formed into three divisions 
of one hundred in each; the reserve commanded by captain 
Wolf, covered the retreat of those engaged, while the right and 
left attempted to turn Baker's flanks unperceived and surround 
him. In this manoeuvre, the enemy so well succeeded, that 
Baker was obliged to retreat into the swamp through a galling 
fire. Baker narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the 
enemy, in consequence of one of his men having mounted his 
horse and rode him off. 

The American loss in this defeat was eight killed, of whom 
five were murdered by the Indians after they were taken pris- 
oners, nine wounded, and thirty-one including part of the 
wounded, were taken prisoners. Among the killed, were lieu- 
tenants Erazer and M' Go wen, lieutenant Robeson, wounded, 
and captains Few and Williams, prisoners. Thomas Coleman 
was drowned crossing Sattilla river. Colonel Baker and the 
remains of his command, fled in small parties and in great con- 
fusion from the scene of action, which was near Nassau river. 
Some of them joined colonel Elbert, and the remainder reached 
the settlements in Georgia, in small parties. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, mi. 343 

Head winds, boisterous weather, and the want of pilots who 
were acquainted with the southern inland navigation ; rendered 
colonel Elbert's share in the expedition, as useless as colonel 
Baker's, though not so fatal. He did not reach St. Mary's until 
six days after the time the junction was to have been formed 
with Baker at Sawpit bluff. In attempting to pass through 
Amelia river, one of the gallies grounded, and two days were 
exhausted in vain efforts to pass through the narrows. 

Lieutenant Robert Ward, of the second regiment, was ordered 
by Elbert to land with a party of men and march to the southern 
extremity of the island; and on his way, to secure all the in- 
habitants, to prevent the enemy from gaining intelligence of 
Elbert's approach. A detachment of the enemy had been 
landed on the south end of the island, to watch the motions of 
Elbert ; and the landing of Ward's party was communicated to 
the enemy by a spy. A small boat was immediately despatched 
to give the alarm to an armed vessel, at anchor to the southward 
of the island. Alarm guns were fired, and answered at the en- 
trance of St. John's river. 

About eleven o'clock on the morning of the 20th of May, 
Ward's party was attacked by an equal number of the enemy, 
who had marched up the island to meet him. The contest was 
pretty equal for ten minutes. The enemy retreated toward a 
low ground, covered with thick low woods, favourable to cover 
a retreat. Ward advanced in front of his men, with a precipi- 
tancy, bordering on imprudence and received a mortal wound, 
of which he died an hour after, and two of his men were 
wounded. The loss sustained by the enemy, if any, was not 
known. The pursuit was not carried beyond the margin of the 
thicket, where lieutenant Ward fell. 

On the 19th, thirteen of colonel Baker's men joined colonel 
Elbert, and gave him an account of the disaster at Nassau river : 
but as they were among the first who fled, could give no detail 
of the particulars. On the 21st, three others joined and in- 
formed him, that the number opposed to Baker, was about three 



344 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1111. 

hundred and fifty, composed of British regulars, Florida ran- 
gers, Indians, and a few Florida militia. These three men, 
with five others, were taken prisoners by M'Girth, and put under 
the care of an Indian guard. The Indians fell upon them un- 
expectedly, killed the other five with knives and hatchets, and 
in the confusion, with great difficulty, they effected their escape. 
They conjectured that about one half of Baker's men were 
killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, and supposed that their 
commander was among that number. 

The enemy acknowledged that Baker, and about fifty of his 
men, acted with great courage and resolution, and that if the 
remainder had followed the example, a retreat might have been 
effected with an inconsiderable loss. The enemy had been ap- 
prized that Baker was on his march, and that Elbert was ap- 
proaching by water. Correct information had also been re- 
ceived of the number which constituted the two American de- 
tachments. The commanding-officer at St. Augustine ordered 
a detachment of artillery to defend a battery which had been 
erected at Hester's bluff. A schooner mounting ten guns, and 
an armed sloop were ordered to defend the inland passage, be- 
tween Amelia island and the main land,* against small boats; 
well knowing that the depth of water would not admit the 
American gallies to pass through. 

Elbert's party of observation from the south end of the island, 
informed him that two vessels, one of fourteen and the other 
of sixteen guns, were standing off and on over the bar, evi- 
dently with the intention to intercept the gallies, if any attempt 
was made to pass them round on the outside of the island. 
Elbert had laid up an ample stock of flour, but his other pro- 
visions, calculating on supplies in Florida, were nearly ex- 
hausted. The tedious time which had been spent in contending 
against head winds and shoal water ; constantly exposed to the 
heat of the sun, and crouded in small vessels ; created despond- 
ency and disease. These circumstances, combined with the de- 
feat of colonel Baker, caused him to relinquish all prospects of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1111. 345 

success, and compelled him to abandon the expedition. He ac- 
cordingly reported his condition and determination to general 
M'Intosh, and to president Gwinnett, by express. He retreated 
to Frederica, and from thence was ordered to Sunbury. Such 
was the issue of president Gwinnett's wild expedition, from 
which he vainly calculated on annexing another province to the 
United States. 

The command of the southern army had been confided to gen- 
eral Eobert Howe, about the close of the year 1776, who had 
fixed his head quarters in Charleston. When it was known to 
Howe, that colonel Fuser had reduced fort M'Intosh, it was 
also conjectured that he would invade Georgia with such a for- 
midable force, as the troops in that state would not be com- 
petent to resist. The commanding-general ordered lieutenant- 
colonel Marion, of South-Carolina, to embark six hundred men 
in boats and small vessels, with four field pieces, a quantity 
of ammunition, camp equipage, intrenching tools, and provis- 
ions, to proceed immediately, by the inland passage to Savannah. 
Colonel Thompson's regiment marched to Purysburgh on Sa- 
vannah river. Before these troops arrived, which was about 
the 15th of March, Fuser had retreated to Florida. 

The term for which the I^orth-Carolina militia were called 
into service, had expired, and they insisted upon being dis- 
charged. This reduction of Howe's force, compelled him to 
withdraw all the Carolina troops from Georgia, to defend the 
sea-coast of their own state. The continental troops in Georgia, 
consisted of M'Intosh' s brigade, which had never been com- 
pleted, and numbers of the recruits, unaccustomed to a southern 
climate, were carried off by disease. 

The paper medium which had been necessarily put into cir- 
culation, to meet the expenses of the war, passed for a short 
time, at par, with the precious metals. The exertions of con- 
gress, were supported by the different state legislatures, in the 
infliction of penalties upon such individuals as refused to re- 
ceive it at par with gold and silver, in exchange for any com- 



346 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 

modities they might offer for sale. Those who attempted to 
lessen its value, were deemed enemies to the cause of freedom, 
and treated accordingly. Patriotism had its influence for a 
time, but the thinking money maker, looked forward for the 
sources of its eventual redemption. The depreciation had 
thrown such a flood of it into circulation, that the hopes of re- 
ducing it by taxation were visionary. The sole purposes for 
which the war had been commenced, were at variance with 
every system which could be devised by congress, to re-conduct 
it to the public treasury, reduce the quantity, and support its 
credit. The revenue produced nothing, and the amount of 
taxes which could be imposed with safety, upon people who 
were fighting against the system of heavy taxation, was found 
to be, but a drop in the bucket. The militia had already felt all 
the miseries of a camp life, which could be produced, by their 
disorderly conduct and ungovernable dispositions. The exag- 
gerated form, in which their sufferings were represented to 
their neighbours when they returned home, produced the great- 
est reluctance to taking the field, when their services were re- 
quired. Large sums were offered by individuals for substitutes 
in addition to the pay allowed by government. 

The Georgia continental officers, who had been ordered on 
the recruiting service, made but little progress in filling their 
companies. The bounty and pay which were allowed by the 
general government, for a whole year, were not equal to the 
sums which were offered by the militia for substitutes to serve 
for only three months. Those who were disposed to enter the 
service, preferred a short militia campaign, where they could 
do as they pleased; to entering the regular service for three 
years, where they would be compelled to live under those strict 
rules of discipline, necessary to the government of a camp, and 
to qualify them for the field of battle. 

At an early period of the war, general Washington had discov- 
ered the evils arising from short enlistments and a dependance 
on militia. As it progressed, he urged with arguments, which 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 347 

appeared to have been almost irresistible, for the raising of 
regiments for the war ; but his experience and sound reasoning, 
do not appear to have produced that conviction in the minds 
of the members of congress, which was proved by succeeding 
events. The time to apply those remedies, had in a great meas- 
ure been suffered to pass, until the disease became almost in- 
curable. The continual exertions of the commander-in-chief, 
were at length yielded to, and the regiments were ordered to 
be completed with men enlisted for three years, or during the 
war. The greatest exertions on the part of the officers in Geor- 
gia, as well as in the other states, produced but few recruits. 

The exposed situation of the southern frontier made it neces- 
sary for the commanding officer to order the recruits to the 
posts on the Alatamaha in small detachments, as they were en- 
listed. About twenty of these recruits, under the command 
of lieutenants Brown and Anderson, were ordered to fort Howe. 
Within two miles of their destination, they were way-laid by 
about one hundred and fifty loyalists and Indians, passing 
through a thick bay swamp. The surprise was complete; 
fourteen men were killed, and the officers who were mounted, 
and the other six narrowly escaped. 

This disastrous event was communicated to colonel Scriven 
the next morning, who with the southern militia, and lieuten- 
ant-colonel John M'Intosh with the regulars from Darien, re- 
paired to the scene of action, and buried the dead ; who had 
been scalped, and their bodies so much mangled, that only a 
few of them were known. These allies of his Britannic ma- 
jesty, were not satisfied with taking away the life: the bodies 
of the dead were ripped open with knives, and the intestines 
ftrewed about on the ground. The enemy had retreated across 
the river, at Eeid's bluff, and taken the direction to St. Augus- 
tine. The proportion of loyalists, who accompanied the In- 
dians on this incursion, could not be ascertained with any de- 
gree of accuracy, by those who escaped. The English language 
was heard distinctly pronounced, and many were seen in the 



348 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 

usual dress of white men. The whole frontier continued to be 
harassed by small parties of loyalists and Indians, and the 
state was too weak to act otherwise, than on the defensive. 

On the night of the 31st of July, a party of Indians crossed 
Ogechee river, near Morgan's fort, knocked in the door, and 
rushed into the house of Samuel Delk, who was not at home. 
His wife and four of his children were killed and scalped, and 
his eldest daughter, about fourteen years of age, was carried 
off in captivity. The fate of this hapless innocent girl, was 
never ascertained. The Indians were pursued by a detachment 
under the command of lieutenants Little, and Alexander, about 
forty miles, where the Indians had parted in order to hunt. 
The only discovery which was made, relative to the unfortunate 
fate of the female prisoner, was some hair that was found near 
the Oconee river, which appeared to have been cut off her head : 
this induced her father to hope, that she had shared the fate 
of the rest of his family. I say ho2Je, because it is well known 
for what purpose a female's life is spared, and she carried into 
cai^tivity, by a savage foe. Many damning proofs of this fact, 
could be recorded in this volume. Such was the warfare, and 
such were the allies of Great-Britain, against the United States. 

On the 10th of August, a British armed vessel anchored in 
St. Andrew's sound, between Cumberland and Jekyl Islands. 
Some boats were manned from the crew and proceeded to St. 
Simon's Island. Captain Arthur Carney, and five others were 
taken prisoners : several negroes and as much household furni- 
ture as the boats could contain, were carried off and the vessel 
proceeded to St. Augustine. Carney joined the enemy, and 
became an active partizan in the royal cause. His name was 
stricken from the rolls of the American army as a traitor and 
deserter; his property confiscated and his person banished for- 
ever. 

Men who have rendered themselves conspicuous by acts of 
treason, have a just claim to particular notice in the history 
of their country. Captain Arthur Carney who had been ap- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1777. 349 

pointed to the command of the fourth company of infantry in 
the first continental battalion in Georgia, ignominiously aban- 
doned the cause of his country and joined the enemy in St. Au- 
gustine; his mind does not appear to have been sufficiently 
stored with information, to qualify him for the practice of 
great villanies ; but to acts of a petty kind, his exertions com- 
pensated for the deficiency of his talents: his residence was 
favourable to his purposes, and under cover of his commission, 
they were practised for a considerable time without suspicion. 
He resided between the Alatamaha and St. Mary's rivers, where 
himself and many others owned large herds of cattle. After 
his own stock had been exhausted, in secret sales to the enemy, 
he aided them in the collection of others which belonged to the 
Americans. Suspicion at length alarmed him and he threw 
himself in the way of the enemy, under pretence of being car- 
ried off a prisoner ; and afterward himself and his son, took an 
active share in the royal cause. 

Many of the inhabitants of Georgia and South-Carolina, en- 
couraged by the rapid increase of horned cattle, without the 
trouble of furnishing winter food, or any other expense, except 
for the employment of a few herdsmen ; had purchased large 
droves, and placed them between the Alatamaha and St. Mary's 
rivers, where the country furnished a plentiful supply of pas- 
turage, during the whole year. Colonel Daniel M'Girth and 
many of his associates, were well acquainted with the country 
and made frequent incursions to drive off cattle for the sup- 
plies of the enemy at St. Augustine. It is said that the num- 
ber driven off for this purpose, is moderately estimated at ten 
thousand. 



CHAPTER VI. 

AT the meeting of the assembly in Savannah, on the 8th of 
May, Noble W. Jones, was appointed speaker of the 
house of representatives; John Adam Truitlen, gover- 
nor; Jonathan Bryan, John Houstoun, Thomas Chisolm, Wil- 
liam Holzendorf, John Fulton, John Jones, John Walton, Wil- 
liam Few, Arthur Fort, John Coleman, Benjamin Andrews, and 
William Peacock, Esquires, members of the executive council; 
and Samuel Stirk, secretary. On the 3d of June, the assem- 
bly passed a resolution to raise two battalions, under the de- 
nomination of minute men, for the permanent defence of the 
frontier, to be enlisted for two years. Large bounties and 
premiums were offered to the officers and men. The platoon 
officers were not to be commissioned until they had completed 
their quotas of men, none of whom were to be enlisted in the 
state. To encourage exertions in the recruiting service, the rank 
of the platoon officers, was to be governed by the number of 
men, each officer recruited. The greatest exertions were ex- 
cited, by this extraordinary rule for promotion, though its de- 
fects, in many instances, were destructive to military discipline. 
There are many men who are well calculated for recruiting 
sergeants, who would not be at all qualified to command a 
company. 

The scarcity of provisions in the country, particularly of the 
bread kind, which had been occasioned by the constant employ- 
ment of the militia, became alarming. To remedy the evil as 
much as possible, the governor prohibited by proclamation, the 
exportation of rice, corn, flour, and all other kinds of provisions, 
which might be required for the subsistence of the inhabitants, 
or of the army. Another proclamation was issued, inflicting 
fines and penalties upon those who should be found guilty of 
undervaluing the state bills of credit ; but as there was no fund 
for the ultimate redemption of the paper money, its value les- 
sened every day. An act of assembly was passed to enforce the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 351 

authority of such provincial statutes of the British code, as were 
not at variance with the new constitution, or repealed by a state 
law. x\ land office was opened to encourage an increase of set- 
tlers from the other states, with offers of land upon advantageous 
terms. 

Previous to the raising of the minute battalions, the protec- 
tion of the western division of the state, had been confided to 
colonel Marbury's regiment of dragoons. When he was relieved 
from this service, his regiment was distributed into ranging 
parties, south of Alatamaha river, to act against the incursions 
of M'Girth: but the extensive country he had to defend, inter- 
sperced with a vast number of swamps, thickly covered with 
shrubbery, enabled his cunning and expertf adversary, to accom- 
plish his purposes, either by stratagem or force. 

Late in the year 1777, the command in the southern states, 
was confided to major-general Robert Howe, who removed his 
head-quarters from Charleston to Savannah, early in the suc- 
ceeding year. On the 8th of January, the assembly met in 
Savannah, and John Houstoun, was appointed to succeed Truit- 
len, in the government of Georgia. The project of reducing 
East-Florida was still cherished ; and in order to make the neces- 
sary arrangements for its accomplishment, the governor sug- 
gested to general Howe, the probable force he would be able to 
bring into the field, and the gratification he should feel in co- 
operating with him on an expedition, which had so long engaged 
the attention of Georgia. Howe agreed to exercise his reflec- 
tions upon the proposition, and finally agreed to its adoption. 

About this time, a party of loyalists, principally inhabitants 
of the interior of South-Carolina, embodied near Ninety-six, 
and crossed Savannah river, forty miles below Augusta ; where 
they were joined by a party of the same description from 
Georgia, commanded by colonel Thomas. They took posses- 
sion of some boats, on the way from Augusta to Savannah with 
corn and flour; and after supplying themselves with as much 
as they wanted, the remainder was destroyed and the boats 



352 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

sunk. This body consisting of four hundred men, supplied 
their wants on their route to East-Florida, and added to the 
distress of the inhabitants, by the destruction of such provisions 
as they did not use. 

This augmentation to the enemy's force on the south height- 
ened the zeal of its advocates ; and gave a spur to the action of 
the expedition. In the mean time, the movements of the enemy 
at Pensacola, as well as the preparations at St. John's and St. 
Mary's rivers, gave strong indications of a formidable attack 
upon Georgia. The probability was strengthened by reports, 
which were entitled to some credit, that a re-inforcement of 
British troops was expected at St. Augustine. 

To counteract the operations of the enemy, general Howe 
determined to embody his disposable forces, and act offensively 
or defensively, as the condition of his army might justify. The 
weak state of Georgia, rendered it incapable of self defence ; 
consequently general Howe could calculate on very little aid 
from its militia. It was assailable on every side ; no where pre- 
pared for defence ; many of the people disaffected to the Ameri- 
can cause ; the militia but few in number, almost without arms 
or ammunition ; and the Creek Indians, with their much 
dreaded implements of war, ready to join their British allies. 
Property was but of secondary consideration, when the aged, 
the helpless, and the infant, were so ill fated as to fall into such 
hands. 

General Howe's regulars, who were in condition to take the 
field, did not exceed five hundred and fifty, and the militia, who 
were called from the western division of Georgia, left that 
quarter almost defenceless. Howe ordered a re-inforcement of 
two hundred and fifty continental infantry and thirty artiller- 
ists, with two field pieces, under the command of colonel C. C. 
Pinckney, to join him from Charleston ; and called on the gov- 
ernor of Georgia for three hundred and fifty militia. He also 
ordered colonel Bull's and colonel Williamson's regiments of 
Carolina militia, to rendezvous at Purysburgh, fifteen miles 
above Savannah. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 353 

James Mercer from St. Augustine, arrived at Savannah on 
the 21st of April, and was examined on oath before William 
Stephens, attorney-general. He stated that he sailed from St. 
Augustine on the 17th, under pretence of coming to St. John's ; 
that a number of troops under the command of general Provost, 
had marched, and were destined for Alatamaha ; three hundred 
loyalists had arrived at St. Mary's from the interior of Carolina 
and Georgia, and had placed themselves under the command of 
colonel Brown ; and that seven hundred more were on their 
march, and soon expected ; that an express had brought intelli- 
gence from the Creek nation, that a body of Indians were on 
their march to join general Provost, on the Alatamaha; and 
that the object of this combined force, was to attack Georgia. 

At this time colonel Elbert was posted at fort Howe. He 
had been informed that the brigantine Hinchenbrook, the sloop 
Eebecca, and a prize brig were lying at Frederica. He marched 
with three hundred men to Darien, where they were embarked 
on board of three gallies : — the Washington, captain Hardy ; 
the Lee, captain Braddock ; and the Bulloch, captain Hatcher ; 
and a detachment of artillery, under captain Young, on board 
of a flat. With this force he effected a landing at Pike's bluff, 
about a mile and an half from Frederica ; leaving colonel John 
White on board of the Lee ; captain George Melvin on board 
of the Washington ; and lieutenant Pettey on board of the Bul- 
loch ; each with a detachment of troops, equal to offensive or 
defensive operations. Immediately after landing, Elbert de- 
tached major Roberts and lieutenant Rae with one hundred men, 
who marched up to the town and took three marines and three 
sailors of the Hinchenbrook' s crew: as it was then late in the 
night, the gallies did not engage until the next morning, for 
which purpose they drew up in order. The unexpected attack 
damped the spirits of the enemy, and they took to their boats 
and escaped down the river. Captain Ellis of the Hinchen- 
brook was drowned, and nine of his crew taken prisoners. Col- 
onel White and captain Melvin took the prize brig without op- 
23 



354 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

position: the crew followed the example of their companions, 
took to their boats and escaped. 

The success attending this enterprise, encouraged colonel El- 
bert in making an attempt against the Galatea, anchored at 
the north end of Jekyl Island, for which purpose he manned the 
Hinchenbrook and the sloop from the gallies ; but while he was 
making his preparations, the Galatea hoisted sail and put to 
sea. When the success of this enterprise was made known in 
Georgia, it had a good effect upon the dispirited militia, and 
general Howe considered it a favourable moment to carry on 
the expedition against Florida. 

On board of the Hinchenbrook, three hundred suits of uni- 
form clothing were found, belonging to colonel Pinckney's regi- 
ment, taken in the Hatter, which had been freighted with cloth- 
ing for the continental troops in the southern department, and 
had been captured by a British privateer off Charleston. The 
prisoners informed colonel Elbert, that general Provost was 
on his march to attack Georgia, that the vessels taken by him 
were destined to Sunbury, where they were to join general Pro- 
vost, who calculated that the weak state of the garrison at that 
place, would enable him to gain possession of it with little or no 
opposition. The clothing found on board of the Hinchenbrook 
was to be distributed among the loyalists, who were marching 
from Augustine, and other insurgents who were expected to 
join them after their arrival. Brown's regiment of rangers was 
to be completed and put in uniform. Preceding events com- 
pared with this narrative, gave it a claim to credit ; though it 
appeared a little extraordinary that a commanding-officer should 
make such a public disclosure of his intentions, unnecessarily, 
to his own disadvantage. 

General Howe gave orders to colonel Pinckney, to join him 
with all expedition, and marched with all his force to fort 
Howe. Before he reached his destination, colonel M'Girth with 
a party of refugees had penetrated the Midway settlement, 
where he was opposed by superior force and compelled to re- 



4 I ■ 

HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177S. 355 

treat to St. Mary's. When general Provost was informed of 
general Howe's movements, his attention was directed to the 
repairs of his points of defence on St. Mary's and St. John's 
rivers, and in making such other arrangements as were best 
calculated for the defence of the province. Fort Tonyn was 
put in the best state that its situation would admit, and cannon 
mounted for its defence. This fort was on the St. Mary's river, 
and some distance in advance of his other works. The ground 
was not well calculated for defence ; nor could the garrison be 
withdrawn, in the event of a siege. 

General Howe arrived at the Alatamaha on the 20th of May, 
where he waited for his re-inforcements. He drew a favourable 
conclusion from the division of the enemy's force, in fortifying 
the out posts imagining that they would fall by detail, and that 
thereby his conquest would be easy and certain. The British 
works on St. John's river were formidable. A battery was 
erected on each side, mounted with cannon, covering some 
armed vessels in the harbour. 

The favourable prospect held out by general Howe, for re- 
ducing this asylum for robbery ; under the control of the Ameri- 
can government; was soon spread over Georgia and Carolina, 
and Howe could not have conceived a project which would have 
been more popular, among all ranks of the community who were 
attached to the cause of freedom, than the one which he now 
contemplated. Every plan which had been adopted by the 
American government to keep the Creek Indians quiet, and 
prevent them from taking an active share in the war, had failed. 
The claims which had been always successful, in the form of 
presents, to the warriors and chiefs, were irresistable, when 
accompanied by assurances that regular supplies should be fur- 
nished for the use of the nation at large. To comply with these 
promises, was completely in the power of Great-Britain, through 
the medium of her merchants in East and West-Elorida. 

The American government could offer no inducements, by 
which Indian friendship is usually acquired. Presents of such 



356 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

kind as would be acceptable, could not be procured. Ammuni- 
tion was too important to their own defence, and its scarcity 
was so severely felt, that her troops often fled from the field of 
battle for want of it. There is no difficulty in deciding upon 
the part which would be taken by the Indians, where such 
powerful allurements were held out upon one side, and noth- 
ing but the justice of a national cause, held out upon the other. 
Add to this, an open door to the pillage of a country, which 
afforded neither the means of offensive nor defensive operations. 

General Howe's army was badly supplied with munitions of 
war; which ultimately tended to the destruction of his plans. 
On the 25th of May, he crossed the Alatamaha river and en- 
camped at Eeid's bluff. The distressing effects, which must 
always arise from placing an army under more than one head, 
already began to appear. The governor of Georgia had taken 
the field at the head of her militia, and in opposition to the 
wishes of general Howe, had ordered the gallies to proceed up 
the river to Beard's bluff, fifty miles above the influence of the 
tide. The shallows in the river, and the force of the current, 
rendered obedience to this order impracticable. On this occa- 
sion Howe made some ill natured comments, reflecting on the 
governor's generalship, at which the latter took offence. To this 
misunderstanding and the want of munitions of war ; was at- 
tributed, the final failure of the expedition. Though governor 
Houstoun was a man of great political talents, his military skill- 
had never been tested by experiment ; and when the militia of 
his own state were called into service, the constitution gave him 
a right to the supreme command. General Howe was aware 
of this, and did not assume the power of hastening his move- 
ments, but in his private letters, complained that they were 
very tardy. 

On the 5th of June, the continental troops, under the com- 
mand of colonel Elbert, marched for Sattilla river, with orders 
to take possession of the ferry, collect such boats as he could 
find, and throw up some works on each side to facilitate the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 357 

advance, or cover the retreat of the army, as circumstances 
might require. Howe complained that the tardy movements 
of the militia under governor Houstoun and colonel William- 
son, had given time to the enemy to put Florida in such a state 
of defence, as to counteract his plans. He had agTeed to form 
a junction with commodore Bowen, at St. IMary's, on the 12th 
of June ; therefore he was obliged to march from Reid's bluff 
before the militia arrived. He proceeded without interruption, 
except from small parties of the enemy, to St. Mary's river, 
where he found fort Tonyn had been evacuated and demolished. 
A detachment of the enemy had halted at Alligator creek, 
fourteen miles south of fort Tonyn, but prepared to retreat with 
security, should they be pressed by the Americans. Informa- 
tion was received, that twelve hundred men had marched from 
St. Augustine toward St. John's, and that two gallies, laden 
with twenty-four pounders and other heavy cannon, were sent 
round to the entrance of St. John's river, to dispute the passage 
of the Americans, or to aid in a general engagement, if prudence 
would justify the risk. 

An intelligent deserter from the enemy, gave the following 
account of the British force in East-Florida. Eight hundred 
regular troops, one hundred Florida rangers, one hundred and 
fifty provincial militia, three hundred and fifty loyalists, from 
the Carolinas and Georgia, and two hundred Indians ; making 
a total of fifteen hundred and fifty. In this stage of the cam- 
paign, a letter from general Howe, dated July 5th, at the ruins 
of fort Tonyn, will give the best impressions of his feelings. 

"I have been waiting for the gallies first, and after their ar- 
rival, a tedious time for the militia of this state, and for the 
long expected coming of colonel Williamson and our countrymen 
with him. In short, if I am ever again to depend upon opera- 
tions I have no right to guide, and men I have no right to com- 
mand; I shall deem it then, as I now do, one of the most un- 
fortunate incidents of my life. Had we been able to move at 
once, and those I expected would have been foremost, had only 



358 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 7775. 

been as ready as we were, a blow might have been given to our 
enemies, which would have put it out of their power to have dis- 
turbed us, at least not hastily ; and perhaps have been attended 
with consequences more important than the most sanguine could 
have expected ; but delayed beyond all possible supposition, em- 
barrassed, disappointed, perplexed, and distressed beyond ex- 
pression ; the utmost we could now achieve, will be a poor com- 
pensation for the trouble and fatigue we have undergone, ex- 
cepting we may be allowed to suppose (what I truly think has 
been effected) that the movements we have made, have drove 
back the enemy and prevented an impending invasion of the 
state of Georgia, which would otherwise inevitably have over- 
whelmed it, and also a dangerous defection of both states. This 
good I am persuaded has resulted from it, and this is our con- 
solation. The enemy were two or three days since at Alligator 
creek, fourteen miles from this place ; their forces by all ac- 
counts, are at least equal to either the governor's troops or mine, 
and we are on contrary sides of the river, and not within eight 
miles of each other. Ask me not how this happened, but rest 
assured that it has not been my fault. I believe however, that 
the governor will encamp near me to-night, and if the enemy 
are still where they were, which I hope to know to-night or to- 
morrow morning, we shall probably beat up their quarters." 

It is to be inferred from the foregoing letter, and other cir- 
cumstances connected with the subject, that general Howe 
wished to draw the militia into Florida, where the constitutional 
powers of governor Houstoun, to command, would cease. 
Whether any other purpose could have been answered by it, ex- 
cept the personal gratification of general Howe, is doubted. His 
talents were not above mediocrity, and his generalship while 
he served in Georgia, was condemned by the officers who served 
under him, as well as by the people at large. 

From fort Tonyn, he ordered three hundred Georgia militia 
to pursue the enemy to Alligator creek, to reconnoitre their posi- 
tion, and to attack them if they were not re-inforced or strongly 



HISTORY OP GEORGIA, 1778. 359 

fortified. An entrenchment had been opened round the camp, 
fronted by logs and brush, as a substitute for abbatis: at first 
view the camp was considered assailable, and a detachment of 
mounted militia, under the command of colonel Elijah Clarke, 
was ordered to penetrate the camp on the weakest flank, and if 
practicable to throw the enemy into confusion, of which the 
main body was to take advantage by advancing quickly on the 
front. Clarke's detachment acted with great spirit, but their 
utmost efforts to pass the works were vain and unsuccessful ; 
the horses were entangled among the logs and brush, and with 
much difficulty got through: when they reached the ditch, it 
was found too wide to leap over. Here they were met by the 
fire and huzzas of the enemy, to which the horses had not been 
accustomed, and they could not be forced to meet it. Colonel 
Clarke was shot through the thigh, and with difficulty escaped 
falling into the hands of the enemy. A .retreat was ordered, 
and the American loss was three killed and nine wounded. As 
the execution of this part of the plan of attack had failed, the 
main body did not attempt to perform that part of the opera- 
tions, which had been assigned to it. Finding that nothing 
could be achieved, and that re-inforcements to the enemy were 
at hand, the Americans retreated and re-joined the army. 

At an early stage of the expedition, the warmth of the cli- 
mate and change of water began to show their influence on the 
health of the soldiery. Many of the diseased were left at fort 
Howe, at the commencement of the campaign. Governor Hous- 
toun arrived at St. Mary's on the 4th of July, and colonel Wil- 
liamson on the 11th. The scarcity of forage had reduced the 
horses to thirty-five below the necessary number to drag the 
artillery, ammunition, provisions, and baggage. Under such 
circumstances, an advance was impracticable, and a retreat 
could only be accomplished by means of the water communica- 
tion along the coast inland. The hospital returns contained 
one-half of the army, and after the militia had joined in the 
expedition, it was found that there were as many independent 



3fiO HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

commanders, as corps. Governor Houstoun declared that he 
would not be commanded by general Howe ; colonel AVilliamson 
said that his men were volunteers and would not yield to be com- 
manded by a continental officer ; or in fact, any other, except 
himself; and commodore Bowen insisted that the naval depart- 
ment was distinct and independent, of officers in command in 
the land service. With such disunion, the prospect of render- 
ing essential service was unpromising and will always be at- 
tended with fatality. 

The mortality occasioned by disease, increased to an alarm- 
ing degree. A great number of militia had volunteered their 
services from the interior, where they had enjoyed the blessings 
of a healthy climate, breathed pure air, and dranlv clear water. 
The apprehensions of such, surrounded with swamps at that 
season of the year, induced many to desert the camp and return 
to their homes. Under the influence of such unpropitious pros- 
pects, there were strong grounds for the belief that a general 
action would have been fatal to the American army. 

The rapid progress of disease and other embarrassments 
which have been noticed, induced general Howe to call a council 
of war on the 11th of July, to consult on the propriety of re- 
treating while it was in his power. The council was composed 

of colonels Samuel Elbert, C. C. Pinckney, John White, • 

Tarling, Eveleigh, Robert Eae, and Kirk ; and lieu- 
tenant-colonels Daniel Roberts, Scott, Henderson, 

and John M'Intosh ; and majors Wise, John Habersham, 

Thomas Pinckney, Grimkie, Brown, Roman De 

Lisle, Joseph Lane, and Philip Lowe. 

General Howe opened the business upon which the council 
of war was summoned, by stating to it, the motives of the enemy 
from East-Florida. "The posts they occupied and were en- 
deavouring to occupy, the stations their armed vessels had 
taken possession of, the number of insurgents rising in arms 
and forming a junction with them, the information received 
from deserters and persons entitled to credit, who had escaped 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177S. 361 

from St. Augustine, and from his spies sent out to make dis- 
coveries ; all united to establish the fact, that an immediate 
invasion against Georgia, in all probability, too formidable to 
be repelled by the force he had at command, had induced him 
to call to the assistance of Georgia the continental troops of 
South-Carolina ; and that that state, with a conduct conform- 
able to her usual spirit and generosity, had sent with the utmost 
readiness, even more than of right could have been demanded; 
who in concert with the militia and continental troops of Geor- 
gia, had chased the enemy out of the country, obliged them to 
evacuate fort Tonyn, from whence continual inroads had been 
made into Georgia, dangerous to the persons and property of 
its inhabitants ; by which the army had, in the general's opinion, 
answered every purpose for which they had been called. But 
willing to have with him, the opinion of the field officers on 
every occasion, where they ought to be consulted, and ready to 
relinquish his own, should they offer any reasons which could 
authorise his doing so ; he wished to propose to them several 
questions. But previous to this, he thought it necessary to give 
them the following additional information: that driving the 
enemy out of Georgia and dislodging them from fort Tonyn, 
were the principal ends at which he had aimed ; yet had the 
enemy in defence of that post, or any other, thought proper to 
oppose him, and he had been happy enough to meet them in 
detail, he should have been ready to have availed himself of 
every advantage which might have resulted from it. By the 
information received from captains Moore, Heyrn, and Tay- 
lor, the roads through Florida were naturally bad ; had been 
rendered worse by the enemy's having broken up and destroyed 
the bridges and throwing other impediments in the way, so that 
neither artillery nor ammunition waggons could pass without 
great labour and loss of time ; and that from all appearances, 
the enemy had abandoned the idea of opposition on the north 
side of St. John's river : that the deputy quarter-master-general 
had reported, that the long march and hard service had de- 



362 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177S. 

stroyed many horses, and rendered so many others unfit for 
use, that there was a deficiency of at least forty for the absolute 
necessities of the service; that the surgeon-general and all the 
surgeons of the army had reported, that at least one-half of 
the troops were sick, many of them dangerously ill, and that 
by the encreasing inclemency of the climate, the greater part 
of the army then fit for duty, would either by continuing there 
or advancing, most probably be destroyed : that by the informa- 
tion received from commodore Bowen, the gallies could not get 
into St. John's river, without consuming much time and labour 
in cutting a passage through Amelia narrows ; and that if such 
a passage could be effected, the accounts he had received, all 
concur in making it probable that the enemy were ready to op- 
pose his oj^erations, when in the river, with a superior force." 

The general therefore thought proper to propose the follow- 
ing questions : 

1st. *'As driving the enemy out of Georgia, and demolishing 
fort Tonyn, were the objects principally aimed at; have not 
these purposes been effected ? 

'^Resolved unanimously in the affirmative. 

2d. "As it appears from information above recited, that the 
enemy do not mean to oppose us in force on this side of St. 
John's river; is there any other object important enough in our 
present situation to warrant our proceeding? 

' 'Resolved unanimously in the negative. 

3d. "Is the army in a situation to cross St. John's river, 
attack the enemy, and secure a retreat in case of accident, 
though they should be aided by the militia, now embodied under 
governor Iloustoun and colonel Williamson? 

"Resolved unanimously in the negative. 

4th. "Does not the sickness which so fatally prevails in the 
army, render a retreat immediately requisite ? 

"Resolved unanimously in the affirmative. 

"The general then proceeded to inform the council that the 
governor had denied him the right to command the militia, even 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 177S. 363 

if a junction had been formed between them and the continental 
troops, notwithstanding the resolution of congress declaring 
that as to the propriety of undertaking distant expeditions and 
enterprizes, or other military operations, and the mode of con- 
ducting them ; the general or commanding-officer, must finally 
judge and determine at his peril." 

The general therefore thought proper to put the following 
questions : 

1st. "Can he with propriety, honour and safety to himself, 
or consistent with the service relinquish the command to the 
governor ? 

"Resolved unanimously in the negative. 

2d. "Can the army whilst the command is divided, act with 
security, vigour, decision or benefit to the common cause ? 

"Resolved unanimously in the negative. 

"Agreed to and signed by all the officers, who composed the 
council of war." 

Thus ended general Howe's expedition, on the success of 
which the fate of Georgia was suspended. He ordered the sick 
and convalescents on board of the gallies and such other boats 
and vessels as could be procured, under the direction of colonel 
C. C. Pinckney, to proceed by the inland passage to Sunbury, 
and with the remainder which had been reduced by disease and 
death, from eleven hundred to three hundred and fifty; he re- 
turned by land to Savannah. Governor Houstoun and colonel 
Williamson, proposed a plan of proceeding with the militia as 
far as St. John's river, but this arrangement was fortunately 
abandoned, and their commands returned to Georgia and dis- 
persed. Several died at St. Mary's, many on their return, and 
some after they had reached their homes. Colonel Pinckney 
proceeded by the inland passage from Sunbury to Port-Royal 
in Carolina, where he landed those who were able to proceed 
by land, and carried the feeble remains of his regiment by water 
to Charleston. 

Though this expedition cost the states of South-Carolina and 



364 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

Georgia many lives and much treasure ; yet perhaps the experi- 
ence which was purchased at such a dear rate, may have had 
its advantages in the final success of the American cause. It 
had the effect of teaching the government, as well as the com- 
manders of the armies, that it was as practicable for one human 
body to act consistently under the capricious whims of two 
heads, as for one army to act advantageously under many com- 
manders. 

The number of troops in the first instance was not more than 
equal to one complete brigade; at the head of which was a 
heterogeneous association, consisting of a state governor, a 
major-general, an illiterate colonel of militia, and a commodore 
of three or four gallies, with troops unaccustomed to a sickly 
climate at the hottest season of the year: it is astonishing that 
they effected a retreat without being defeated or cut off. The 
reduction of St. Augustine was considered absolutely necessary 
for the peace and safety of Georgia, and the hope of such a con- 
quest was still cherished. The new plan proposed, was to com- 
mence the operations in the month of l^ovember ; to prepare a 
number of batteaux, packsaddles, and bags to carry flour. The 
batteaux were to convey most of the troops, artillery, and bag- 
gage, under convoy of the gallies, by the inland passage to St. 
John's river. The beef cattle to be conducted under a strong 
guard of horsemen and light troops. The whole force to form 
a junction at St. John's river, about forty miles from Augus- 
tine, where they were to halt and prepare for offensive opera- 
tions, while the men were fresh and fit for action. Three thou- 
sand men and a small train of field artillery, with battering 
cannon to attack the castle, were considered equal to the execu- 
tion of that important service. 

After the return of the troops from St. Mary's, colonel John 
M'Intosh was posted at Sunbury with one hundred and twenty- 
seven men ; and the feeble remains of colonels Elbert's and 
White's regiments returned to Savannah, with the hope of re- 
storing them to health, and preparing them for the field. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 365 

Before the convalescents had gained strength enough for active 
service, a rapid and unexpected incursion was made by the 
enemy into the southern part of Georgia. 

General Augustine Provost, who commanded at St. Augus- 
tine, was informed by the British general at ITew-York, that a 
number of transports with troops on board, would sail from 
thence, direct, for the coast of Georgia, and was ordered by 
him to send detachments from his command to annoy the south- 
ern frontier of that state, and divert the attention of the Ameri- 
can troops from Savannah. By these measures, the possession 
of that town would be obtained with little loss, the retreat of 
the American troops cut off, and their capture rendered prob- 
able. Re-enforcements were promised to ensure success to the 
enterprise. General Provost, in obedience to his orders, de- 
tached a part of his troops, and some light artillery, under the 
orders of lieutenant-colonel Puser, by water to Sunbury, with 
orders to possess himself of that post ; and detached lieutenant- 
colonel James Mark Provost, with one hundred regular troops, 
by the inland navigation to fort Howe, on the Alatamaha, where 
he was joined by colonel M'Girth, who advanced by land and 
crossed St. Mary's at fort Tonyn with three hundred refugees 
and Indians. On the 19th of ISTovember, lieutenant-colonel 
Provost advanced into the settlements, and made prisoners of all 
the men found on their farms, and plundered the inhabitants of 
every valuable article that was portable. 

The spies, who had been posted on the frontier to watch the 
movements and approach of the enemy, communicated to colonel 
John Baker intelligence of the jvmction of Provost and M'Girth, 
and their subsequent advance, which indicated an attack upon 
the settlements. Baker assembled a party of mounted militia 
on the 24th, with the intention of annoying the enemy on their 
march. He proceeded as far as Bull-town swamp, where he 
fell into an ambuscade, which had been laid by M'Girth on the 
preceding day; a skirmish ensued for a few minutes, when the 
Americans retreated. Colonel Baker, captain Cooper, and Wil- 



366 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

liam Goulding, wore wounded : if the enemy sustained any loss 
it was not known. Colonel John White collected about one 
hundred men, continental troops and militia, and with two 
pieces of light artillery, took post at Medway meeting-house. 
He constructed a slight breast-work across the great-road, at 
the head of the causeway, over which the enemy must pass, 
where he hoped to keep them in check until he should be re- 
enforced from Savannah. He sent an express to colonel Elbert, 
to inform him of his small force, and the advance of the enemy. 
Major William Baker, with a party of mounted militia was de- 
tached to skirmish with the enemy, when opportunities might 
present. He disputed every pass with them, when there was a 
prospect of retarding their progress. In one of these affairs, 
Charles Carter was killed. On the morning of the 24th, general 
James Scriven, with twenty militia, joined colonel White. 
Finding that the enemy was near, a small party of whom ap- 
peared in front, it was determined to meet them in ambush, on 
an advantageous piece of ground, about a mile and a half south 
of Medway meeting-house, where the main road was skirted by 
a thick wood. The two field pieces were served by captains 
Celerine Brusard and Edward Young, under the orders of major 
Roman De Lisle : major William Baker with his party was 
formed on the left, and colonel White placed himself at the head 
of the main body: in this order the Americans advanced. 
Colonel M'Girth, who was well acquainted with the country, 
and understood the position of the Americans, had advised 
colonel Provost of the advantages of placing a party in ambush, 
at the same place which had been selected by colonel White for 
the like purpose, and to advance the party above noticed, with 
intention to draw White from his works, and if practicable, to 
decoy him into the ambuscade. When the Americans ap- 
proached the ground which they intended to occupy; general 
Scriven accompanied by his aid-de-camp lieutenant Glascock, 
inclined to the right to examine the ground, and colonel White 
made his dispositions for action. The British and Americans 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 367 

arrived on the ground, and were spreading their snares for each 
other about the same time. A firing commenced. General 
Scriven had advanced but a short distance, when he fell in with 
a party of the enemy; and unfortunately for himself and for 
his country, he received a mortal wound, of which he died the 
ensuing day. Major Baker, who commanded the left flank, 
pressed the enemy with such vigour, that they gave way for a 
short time, but they were soon re-enforced and returned to the 
contest. As colonel Provost was crossing the road, a shot from 
one of the field pieces passed through the neck of his horse, and 
he fell. Major Roman de Lisle supposed that the commanding- 
officer of the enemy was killed, advanced quickly with the field 
pieces to take advantage of the confusion which ensued ; and 
major James Jackson called out victory, supposing that the 
enemy was retreating: but Provost was soon re-mounted, and 
advanced in force. Colonel White finding himself engaged by a 
great superiority of numbers, and having no prospect of a re- 
enforcement, thought it prudent to secure himself and his troops, 
by a retreat to the meeting-house: he kept out small parties to 
annoy the front and flanks of the enemy, and broke down the 
bridges as he retired. When he had regained his position, at 
the meeting-house, he was informed that the enemies force con- 
sisted of five hundred men. A retreat was indispensable, and 
knowing that the enemy would press upon his rear, he deter- 
mined to oppose stratagem to numbers ; he prepared a letter, as 
though it had been written to himself, by colonel Elbert, direct- 
ing him to retreat, in order to draw the British as far as pos- 
sible ; and informing him, that a large body of cavalry had 
crossed over Ogechee river, with orders to gain the rear of the 
enemy, by which their whole force would be captured. This 
letter was dropped in such way, as to ensure its getting to 
colonel Provost's hand, and to attach to it the strongest evidences 
of genuineness. It was found, handed to Provost, occasioned a 
variety of conjecture, and excited some alarm: it was believed 
to have been so far effectual, as to deter the enemy from ad- 



368 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

vancing more than six or seven miles. M'Girth had been or- 
dered with a party to reconnoitre Sunbury, and ascertain 
whether lieutenant-colonel Fuser had arrived ; but he returned 
without having gained the wished for intelligence. When col- 
onel Elbert received colonel White's letter, at Savannah, he 
forwarded it to general Howe, at Zubley's ferry, and marched 
with two hundred men to the river Ogechee, where with the 
assistance of Mr. Savage's negroes, he constructed a temporary 
breast work by the time White had accomplished his retreat 
to that place. The day after the action, near Medway, captain 
Phillips and a lieutenant were killed in an attempt to bring off 
a British sentinel. 

Colonel Elbert sent a flag to colonel Provost by major John 
Habersham, requesting permission to furnish general So'iven 
with such medical aid as his situation might require; s apposing 
that he had fallen into the hands of the enemy. He was also 
instructed to propose some general arrangements, to secure the 
country against pillage and conflagration. Doctors Braidie and 
Alexander were permitted to attend general Scriven ; but on 
their arrival his wounds were found to be mortal, and that any 
exertions made by them would be adding a useless increase of 
pain, to what he already experienced, for the few hours he had 
to live. Colonel Provost refused making any stipulations for 
the security of the country ; observing that the people had volun- 
tarily brought on their impending fate, by a rebellion against 
their sovereign. He enquired of major Habersham, and begged 
leave to put him upon his honour in giving an answer, whether 
any British transports had appeared off the coast of Georgi'a. 
Habersham at once discovered the policy of giving a correct 
answer to the question in the negative. 

Upon hearing that no re-enforcements of British troops had 
arrived off the coast of Georgia, he retreated early the next 
morning toward St. Augustine. On his return, Medway 
meeting-house, and almost every dwelling-house in the country 
were left in smoaking ruins. Bice barns and rice in the stack, 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 369 

shared the same fate. Plate, bedding, wearing apparel, and 
other articles which could be carried off, were taken by the 
enemy. 

Head winds had prevented colonel Fuser's arrival at Sun- 
bury, as soon as he had expected, and colonel Provost had re- 
treated before he entered the harbour. On the 1st of December, 
Puser anchored off Colonel's Island with several small vessels 
laden with battering cannon, light artillery, and mortars, with 
five hundred men. After making the necessary preparations to 
attack the fort by land and water, he demanded a surrender, 
accompanied by declarations that he would not spare a man to 
relate the consequences of a refusal. 

Lieutenant colonel John M'Intosh, who had the command, 
thought it best to exhibit a bold front, though his works would 
not have been tenable for an hour. He determined on opposi- 
tion to the last extremity, expecting immediate relief from 
Savannah, and knowing that Provost had retreated ; he an- 
swered the summons in four words, "Come and take it!" There 
are strong grounds for the belief that this spirited and laconic 
answer discouraged Fuser from making the assault ; which from 
the weak and defenceless condition of the works and garrison, 
must have fallen into his hands without much loss. Fuser had 
detached parties into the country to forage and ascertain the 
position of Provost. His ear was soon saluted with the unwel- 
come intelligence of Provost's retreat, and the advance of troops 
from Savannah. He was puzzled to comprehend the causes of 
the former, while the latter excited alarm. Hearing nothing 
respecting the arrival of the expected re-enforcements from the 
north, and supposing that Provost had been opposed by a supe- 
rior force, he thought it prudent to follow his example. Ac- 
cordingly he raised the siege, re-embarked, and returned to St. 
John's river, where he met with Provost, each charging the 
other with misconduct, to which the failure of the expedition 
was attributed. It appears that it was not well understood, 

w-hen these two officers left St. Augustine, which of them was to 
24 



370 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

have the command in case of a junction, or probably they were 
not expected to unite before they had joined the re-enforcements 
from New- York. 

General Howe collected his force and marched to Sunbury, 
and as was his custom, pointed out the defenceless condition of 
the works, without resorting to any effectual remedy for their 
repairs. He ordered general Moultrie's regiment to march 
without delay, or Georgia must soon be in the possession of the 
enemy. He also ordered colonel Huger's regiment to follow, 
and to sujDply themselves with provision, transportation, and 
accommodations by impressment. Colonel Thompson's and 
colonel Henderson's regiments were ordered to march to Purys- 
burgh, so as to be ready to oppose the landing of the enemy in 
either state, as occasion might require. Colonel Owen Roberts, 
of the Carolina artillery, embarked his regiment in small boats 
and vessels, with such ordnance and stores as were judged requi- 
site for the service. As the threatened invasion of Georgia, 
presaged an attack upon Carolina, to which the motions of the 
enemy furnished a probable prelude, the necessary arrangements 
were also made for the defence of Charleston and Beaufort. 

General Howe complained in his letters to congress, of the 
confusion which prevailed in the military arrangements in the 
southern department, and expressed great regret, that he was 
unable to produce any thing like order out of such a chaos ; that 
the sea coast was threatened with a certain prospect of invasion, 
all the military works in ruins, no tools, nor any apparent dis- 
position to make the necessary repairs ; that the militia came 
and went when and where they pleased, and that he had more 
trouble with the officers than with the men. Upon these sub- 
jects, his complaints had been incessant to congress, and as he 
had rendered himself unpopular in Georgia, the influence of the 
state had been directed toward his removal from the command 
of the southern army. Congress had not yet discovered any 
prominent traits in the character of general Howe, which would 
justify the change which had been solicited, therefore, it was a 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 371 

matter of some delicacy to remove an officer of his rank, without 
assigning some substantial reason for it. 

When Fuser retreated from Svmbury, he left the regular 
troops of his command, at Frederica, on St. Simon's island, 
where the old military works of general Oglethorpe were tem- 
porarily repaired for defence. The loyalists proceeded with 
Fuser to St. John's, and thence to St. Augustine, where the 
booty was deposited in safety, and preparations made to return 
to Georgia with a more formidable force. General Provost hav- 
ing been disappointed iu this expedition, determined to suspend 
further operations until he should receive certain information 
of the arrival of the transports from New- York; in the mean 
time, he held himself in readiness for that event. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE Metropolis of Georgia was in the most defenceless 
condition imaginable. A battery had been thrown up 
at the eastern extremity of the city, upon which a few 
guns had been mounted ; but it was only calculated to defend the 
water. Large vessels could not approach within three miles of 
it, there not being a sufficient depth of water to admit their 
passage. Every other part of the city was exposed, and the 
ground afforded no advantage against an equal force. On the 
3d of December, one of the transports of the enemy put into 
Tybee and anchored off the light-house. A deserter escaped by 
swimming to the shore and gave a particular account of the in- 
tended descent upon Georgia, and confirmed what had been 
considered probable, that the troops in Florida were only wait- 
ing the arrival of the fleet to second their efforts. A number of 
cannon had been heard at sea in different directions, which ap- 
peared to have been signals from the different ships of the fleet, 
that had been separated in a storm. The number of men stated 
by the deserter, could not have been brought in so few transports, 
yet they were thought to be sufficiently numerous, to place the 
safety of Georgia at great hazard, in its unprepared condition. 
The militia ordered into service, were embodied in such posi- 
tions, that by rapid movements they might be brought to any 
given point as circumstances might require. The continental 
troops had been called from South-Carolina to the aid of Geor- 
gia, except some detachments at the batteries on the sea shore, 
who understood gunnery ; and the militia of that state were also 
ordered to take the field. 

"Examination of William ITaslem, a^deserter from the British 
transport ship l^eptune, captain M'Dougal commander. He 
stated that he arrived in the above ship two days before off 
Tybee, having been out from Sandy-Hook three weeks ; that she 
was one of the fleet consisting of twenty sail, which were lying 
at the Hook ready for sea ; that the ISTeptune and another ship 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 373 

parted from their anchors in a storm which compelled them to 
put to sea. After they came out, captain M'Dougal opened his 
orders, which were to proceed to Tybee in Greorgia, and there 
remain for forty-eight hours, and if the remainder of the fleet 
did not arrive in that time, that he was then to proceed to St. 
Mary's, and there wait until he should be informed that the 
fleet had arrived. That he understood that the army on board 
of the transports consisted of five thousand men, and supposed 
they would sail the next day after the Xeptune came out. That 
the fleet was under convoy of the Phoenix, a forty-four gun ship ; 
the Vigilant, a large floating battery ; a row galley ; and one or 
two sloops of war. That the army was composed of three bat- 
talions of the seventy-first regiment, the Jersey volunteers com- 
manded by general Skinner ; and other corps of loyalists, com- 
manded by colonel Allen. That the Neptune had on board one 
hundred men with their families, who came to pass the winter 
in Georgia, exclusive of marines ; and that the ship could only 
be defended by musketry, having no cannon mounted on her 
decks. That three weeks before they sailed, a fleet had left 
New- York, destined as was understood, for Virginia with ten 
thousand men; but heard nothing said about Charleston or 
South-Carolina. That on the 4th and 5th of December, he 
heard a number of guns at sea, which he supposed to be signals 
for the union of the fleet. He also understood that their orders 
were to burn and destroy the property of all those who refused 
submission to the royal government." 

The foregoing examination was taken before governor Hous- 
toun on the 6th of December, at Savannah, and a copy of it for- 
warded by express to general Howe at Sunbury ; who received 
another express from the southward, informing him that general 
Provost was on the march from St. Augustine with all his force 
against Georgia. 

The militia of North-Carolina were ordered to Charleston. 
Notwithstanding hostilities had been commenced, three years 
previous to this call, the militia of that state were without arms 



374 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

or any other munitions of war and took the field with an entire 
dependence upon the resources of South-Carolina. Governor 
Houstoun's apprehensions for the safety of Savannah, were en- 
creased by the alarming intelligence which he received from 
every quarter. The security of the public records, demanded 
immediate attention. The governor ordered captain John Mil- 
ton, secretary of the state ; to have the books and papers apper- 
taining to his office, packed up without delay and removed to a 
place of safety. They were accordingly put on board of the 
Hinchenbrook, a vessel which had been taken from the enemy by 
colonel Elbert at Frederica, but her draft was too great for the 
depth of water and it was found necessary to remove them in 
small boats to Purysburgh, and thence to the Union ; the resi- 
dence of Mr. Bryan, where they remained until the British 
army arrived at Tybee. 

The weather proving unfavourable to the designs of the Brit- 
ish fleet, they put to sea, and the first alarm had measurably 
subsided, under the belief that Savannah was not the real des- 
tination of the enemy. Influenced by this impression, the gov- 
ernor ordered captain Milton to return to Savannah with the 
records. Fortunately for the state, captain Milton disobeyed 
the order, and remonstrated to the governor against a step so 
hazardous to their safety. He repaired to the city for the pur- 
pose of waiting upon the governor to explain his motives ; when 
certain information was received by the governor, that the Brit- 
ish fleet and transports again appeared off the bar. Milton was 
directed to return to the Union and proceed to Charleston with 
the papers, where they were deposited. Captain Milton joined 
general Lincoln's camp, and was appointed one of his aids. 

On the 24th of November, lieutenant-colonel Archibald 
Campbell of the British army, an officer in whose bravery 
and talents, great confidence had been justly placed by the 
commander-in-chief of the British forces at New-Yoi'k; had 
embarked at Sandy-Hook, with the seventy-first regiment of 
royal Scots ; two battalions of Hessians ; four battalions of pro- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 375 

vincials, and a detachment of royal artillery. The transports 
were escorted by a squadron of the fleet under the command of 
commodore sir Hyde Parker. On the 27th of December they 
crossed the bar and came up to Cockspur island. Having made 
arrangements for landing: the Vigilant man of war, Keppel 
brig, Greenwich sloop of war, and the Comet galley, came up 
the river with a strong tide and favourable breeze ; followed by 
the transports in three divisions. About five o'clock in the 
afternoon of the 28th, the Vigilant opened the reach at four 
mile point, and was cannonaded by the American gallies Con- 
gress and Lee, but without much effect. Night coming on, 
some of the transports grounded on a mud flat, but got off in 
the night at high water, and proceeded up in the morning above 
rive-fathom Hole, opposite to Brewton's Hill, where the first 
division of light infantry debarked, and marched up to take pos- 
session of the high ground, so as to cover the landing of the 
troops from the other transports. As this division of the 
enemy landed, they formed for action and marched up with 
great confidence. 

General Howe had formed his encampment, south-east of 
the town of Savannah, anxiously waiting the arrival of re- 
enforcem-cnts of militia and the continental troops from South- 
Carolina, under the command of major-general Benjamin Lin- 
coln. Howe's army had not yet recovered from the fatal effects 
of the Florida campaign, the preceding summer: about one 
fourth were yet confined by disease, and many of his convales- 
cents too feeble to encounter the fatigues of a battle. The dread 
of a climate, where disease had produced more terrors than the 
sword and not less fatal, retarded the progress of militia, and 
prevented many from returning, who were absent on furlough. 
On the day of battle, Howe's army, exclusive of militia, 
amounted to six hundred and seventy-two, rank and file. The 
force of the enemy was two thousand one hundred, including 
land troops, seamen, and marines ; but it was thought by Howe 
that the enemy exhibited the appearance of greater numbers, 



376 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

than what was really possessed, and that the opposing armies 
were nearly equal. 

On the 28th a general order was issued to prepare for action, 
and on the 29th, the following order of battle: 

"Savannah, Head-Quaeters, 

December 29, 1778. 

"Parole, Firmness. The first brigade is to be told off into 
sixteen platoons, of an equal number of files, the odd files to be 
formed into one platoon on the right wing of the brigade, to act 
as light infantry according to exigencies. 

"Two field officers to be appointed to the command of the 
right wing of both brigades. 

"The second brigade to be told off into eight platoons of an 
equal number of files to be formed on the left of the first bri- 
gade, in order to act as light infantry, as will be directed. 

"Colonel Isaac Huger will command the right wing of the 
army, composed of the first brigade and the light troops belong- 
ing to it. 

"The artillery of both brigades, and the park, to be posted 
before and during the action as shall be directed, and defend 
their ground until further orders. The artillery when ordered 
or forced to retreat, are to fall into the road leading to the 
western defile, where colonel Roberts is to take as advantageous 
a post as possible, to protect the retreat of the line." 

The town of Savannah is situate on high level sandy ground, 
forty feet above the surface of the water, on the south bank of 
the river, and approachable by land at three points : from the 
high ground of Brewton's hill and Thunderbolt, on the east, by 
a road and causeway over a morass, with rice fields on the north 
side of the causeway to the river, and the morass and wooded 
swamps from the causeway southward, several miles ; from the 
south, by the road from White bluff, on Yernon river, and the 
road from Ogechee ferry which unite near the town; and from 
the westward, by a road and causeway over the deep swamps of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 377 

Musgrove's creek, with rice fields from the causeway to the river 
on the north, and by Musgrove's swamp leading in from the 
southward. From the eastern causeway to that on the west, 
is about three quarters of a mile. 

On the morning of the 29th, when colonel Elbert discovered 
the place of landing of the enemy, he advised general Howe of 
the advantages they would obtain, if allowed to gain undisturbed 
possession of Brewton's hill, and offered to defend it with his 
regiment ; assuring him from a perfect knowledge of the ground, 
the advantages it would give over the enemy. Howe rejected the 
offer, and formed for battle on the south-east side of the to^vn. 
His centre was opposed to the head of the causeway, by which 
he believed the enemy must apjDroach him ; his left with the rice 
fields in front, and flanked by the river ; his right with the 
morass in front, and flanked obliquely by the wooded swamp, 
and one hundred of the Georgia militia. Colonel George Wal- 
ton informed the general of a private way through the swamp, 
by which the enemy could pass from the high grounds of Brew- 
ton's hill and gain the rear of the American right ; and which 
in his belief, was important and admitted of easy defence ; but 
general Howe neglected to avail himself of the advantage which 
would have resulted from its being occupied and defended. The 
British commander availed himself of this pass, as will be seen. 
Brewton's hill was connected with the river, by a causeway 
about six hundred yards in length, with rice fields and a ditch 
and bank on each side. The British shipping were at anchor in 
the river, near to the end of the causeway. Having made his 
disposition, general Howe detached captain John C. Smith, of 
South Carolina, with his company of forty infantry, to occupy 
Brewton's hill and the head of the causeway, with orders, should 
the enemy land and approach that way, to defend it as long 
as it was tenable, and then to retreat to the main army : Smith 
advanced and occupied the position assigiied him, but his force 
was inadequate to its object. The enemy landed, advanced on 
the causeway, and gained the hill : Smith defended it with gal- 



378 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

lantry, but was forced to retreat, which he accomplished with- 
out loss of men. The enemy lost in this affair, one captain and 
two privates killed, and five privates wounded. General Howe 
finding that the enemy were landed, in force of which he was 
ignorant, but now believed, from all circumstances, to be greatly 
superior to his own, called a council of his field officers to advise 
him whether to retreat or defend Savannah. Many of the ofii- 
cers had every thing at stake. To secure the retreat of their 
families, with any part of their property, was then impracti- 
cable. The council advised defence, to the last extremity. 
Under existing circumstances, with the exception of the loss of 
lives, to retreat or be defeated, was indifferent in their conse- 
quences, and to contend with chosen troops of three times his 
own number, commanded by an officer whose activity, courage 
and experience, were not exceeded by any other in the British 
army in x\merica ; success was not to be expected. General 
Howe certainly ought not to have risked an action with a supe- 
rior force, when he had certain information, that general Lin- 
coln was advancing with a body of troops to re-enforce him, 
with whom he could have formed a junction in two days. 

After colonel Campbell had formed his army on Brewton's 
hill, he moved forward and took a position within eight hundred 
yards of the American front, where he manoeuvred to excite a 
belief that he intended an attack on their centre and left, for 
which purpose, he ordered the first battalion of the seventy-first 
regiment, to form on the right of the road, to divert the atten- 
tion of the American general from his real intention on a dif- 
ferent point; at the same time, a body of infantry and New- 
York volunteers, under the command of major. Sir James 
Baird, filed off from the rear, unperceived, under cover of a 
low thick wood, with the intention to turn the American right 
and gain their rear, whereby their retreat would be cut off : for- 
tune threw in their way an old negro man, named Quamino 
Dolly, who, for a small reward, conducted Sir James Baird 
through the swamp by a bye way, by which the troops passed 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 379 

imperceived and without opposition to the place of their desti- 
nation: having reached the White bluff road which enters 
through the South common of the town, in the rear of the Ameri- 
can troops, they commenced the attack, and Campbell moved 
forward and attacked the American front. By the unexpected 
attack on the right and rear, the American line was broken: 
general Howe ordered a retreat, which was made in great con- 
fusion, and before he gained the head of the causeway over Mus- 
grove's swamp, west of the town, the only pass by which a re- 
treat was practicable, the enemy had gained an advantageous 
position to dispute the passage. Colonel Roberts had retired 
to the post assigned to him, in the event of a retreat ; and by his 
extraordinary exertions, the American centre gained the cause- 
way and accomplished their retreat : the right flank was between 
two fires, and in retiring suffered severely: the left, under the 
command of colonel Elbert continued the conflict, until a retreat 
by the causeway was impracticable : that pass being in posses- 
tion of the enemy, he attempted to escape with a part of his 
troops through the rice fields, between the causeway and the 
river, exposed to a galling fire from the high grounds of Ewens- 
burg near the causeway ; but when they reached the creek it was 
high tide, and only those who could swim escaped, with the loss 
of their arms and accoutrements ; the others were made prison- 
ers, or were drowned. About one hundred of the Georgia 
militia were posted in the rear of the right of the American line, 
on the South-common of the town, under the command of colonel 
George Walton; they were attacked by Sir James Baird and 
fought with spirit, until the colonel received a wound, fell from 
his horse and was taken prisoner. The way of retreat being 
occupied by the enemy, his command was killed, wounded, and 
taken. Some of them who were inhabitants of Savannah, were 
bayoneted in the streets by their victorious pursuers. 

The remains of Howe's army attempted to rally on an advan- 
tageous ground on the west side of Musgrove's swamp, but the 
impetuosity of the enemy in pursuit, foiled every effort for that 



380 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1778. 

purpose. Thej preserved three pieces of field artillery, but sus- 
tained some loss of small arms during the passage of the swamp. 
General Howe retreated to Cherokee hill, about eight miles, 
where he halted until the rear came up, and then marched up 
the Savannah river to the Sister's and Zubley's ferry's and 
crossed over into South-Carolina. 

Few conquests have ever been made with so little loss to the 
victor. The enemy had only seven killed and nineteen wounded. 

The American army lost eighty-three men killed, and thirty- 
eight officers, and four hundred and fifteen non-commissioned 
officers and privates, including the sick, wounded, and the aged 
inhabitants of the town and country, were made prisoners. The 
fort, with forty-eight pieces of cannon and twenty-three mortars 
and howitzers, with all the ammunition and stores belonging to 
them, a large quantity of provisions, the shipping in the river, 
and the capital of Georgia, all fell into the possession of the 
British army, in the course of a few hours. The private sol- 
diers who were made prisoners on this occasion, were alter- 
nately persuaded and threatened to induce them to enlist into 
the British army: those who resolutely refused were crowded 
on board of prison-ships, and during the succeeding summer, 
four or five of them died every day: the staff officers, particu- 
larly those of the quarter-master's and commissary's depart- 
ments, were treated in a similar way. Many gentlemen who 
had been accustomed to ease and affluence, were consigned to 
these abominable prison-ships : among the number was the ven- 
erable Jonathan Bryan, bending under the weight of years and 
infiraiities, whose daughter, when she was entreating with com- 
modore Sir Hyde Parker, to soften the sufferings of her father, 
was treated by him with vulgar rudeness and contempt. 

When general Howe halted at Cherokee hill, he despatched 
lieutenant Tennill, with orders to lieutenant Aaron Smith of 
the third regiment of South-Carolina, who commanded at Oge- 
chee ferry, and to major Joseph Lane, who commanded at Sun- 
bury, to evacuate their posts and retreat across the country and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 381 

ioin the army at the Sister's ferry. Lieutenant Smith whose 
command consisted of twenty men, succeeded, and jomed a de- 
tachment of the rear guard at Ebenezer, after a march of thirty- 
six hours through a country of swamps, covered with wat^r. 
Major Lane was ordered to retreat up the south side of Ogechee 
river, and to cross over opposite to, and join the army at ZuMey s 
ferry ■ he received his orders in time to have effected his retreat 
and save his command from falling into the hands of the enemy ; 
hut captain Dollar, who commanded a corps of artillery, and 
many others of the principal inhabitants, whose pecuniary rum, 
as well as the fate of their families, was at stake urged Lane 
to the imprudence of disobeying his orders, and defending he 
post. Lane was afterward tried by a conrt-martial, and dis- 
missed from the service, for disobedience of orders. 

On the first notice of the arrival of the transports off the 
coast of Georgia, general Provost marched, and embarked in 
boats, two thousand men, consisting of artillery, infantry, loyal- 
ists, and Indians. On the 6th of January that part of his 
armv, which moved by water was landed on Colonel s island, 
seve'n miles south of Sunbnry, about ten o'clock in the morning; 
and Provost with the light infantry, marched and took posses- 
sion of the town early on the ensuing day. Two Amencan gal- 
lies and an armed sloop, cannonaded the enemy ; but with little 
effect The following day the main body of the enemy arrived. 
Everv exertion was made to prevent the landing of the cannon 
and mortars near the tow, by the fire from the gallies and the 
fort On the night of the 8th, they took advantage of the low 
tide' to pass behind a marsh island, opposite to the fort, with a 
few of their boats containing cannon, howitzers, and mortars, 
and landed them above the town, and placed them on batteries 
previously prepared. On the morning of the 9th, Provost sum- 
moned the fort to surrender unconditionally, accompanied by a 
statement of his force, and the weight of his metal. Major 
Lane replied that his duty, inclination, and means V'^n^.i io 
the propriety of defending the post against any force, however 



382 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1119. 

superior it might be. The British batteries of cannon and 
mortars were opened on the fort, and replied to : Lane soon dis- 
covered that his fortress would not long be tenable, and began to 
repent his disobedience of orders. He parlied, to obtain better 
terms than unconditional surrender, but no other would be 
allowed him, and the time being elapsed for his acceptance or 
refusal, hostilities re-commenced: he parlied again, and re- 
quested until eight o'clock the next morning to consider of the 
conditions offered to him, which being peremptorily refused, he 
agreed to them ; and surrendered the fort containing twenty- 
four pieces of artillery, ammunition, and provisions, and the 
garrison, consisting of seventeen commissioned officers, and one 
hundred and ninety-five non-commissioned officers and privates, 
including continental troops and militia. The American loss 
was one captain and three privates killed, and seven wounded. 
The British loss was one private killed, and three wounded. 

The Washington and Bulloch gallies were taken to Ossabaw 
island, stranded on the beach, and bvirned by their crews, who 
took passage on board of captain Salter's sloop, and sailed for 
Charleston, but were captured by a British tender, and taken 
to Savannah. Captain John Lawson of the sloop Bebeeca, of 
sixteen guns, put to sea and got safe to Charleston. 

After Sunbury fell into the possession of the British troops, 
the continental officers who were made prisoners at Savannah, 
were sent to that place on their parole, except the reverend 
Moses Allen who had accepted a commission as chaplain in the 
Georgia brigade. This gentleman was refused the privileges 
allowed to the other officers, and confined on board of a prison- 
shijD. His animated exertions on the field of battle, and his 
patriotic exhortations from the pulpit, had exposed him to the 
particular resentment of the enemy. Wearied by long confine- 
ment in a loathsome prison-ship, and hopeless of speedy release, 
he determined to re-gain his liberty, or lose his life in the at- 
tempt. In pursuance of this hazardous resolution, he leaped 
overboard with the hope of being able to swim to one of the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 383 

islands, assisted by the flood tide, but was unfortunately 
drowned. The death of that gentleman was lamented by the 
friends of Independence, and particularly by his brethren in 
arms, who justly admired him for his bravery, exemplary life, 
and many virtues. The treatment which Mr. Allen received 
from the British, during his captivity, is not a solitary instance 
of refinement in cruelty practised by them on American prison- 
ers ; numerous beyond counting, were the victims of their in- 
human conduct, during the revolution. 

By the defeat of the American troops at Savannah, and the 
capture of the town by the enemy, the future services of a 
considerable portion of the militia of the eastern part of the 
state were lost to their country; the distress of their families, 
and the ruin of their fortunes, would be consequent on their 
further resistance: many of them bowed the neck and received 
the yoke of the British government. 

General Howe was a man of moderate talents, easy manners, 
and much admired by his convivial friends ; but his want of 
circumspection was apparent, and his military qualifications had 
become questionable among his officers, and the private soldiery 
had lost their confidence in him as a leader. These impressions 
had been frequently communicated to the members in congress, 
from the southern states, who applied to that honourable body 
for a successor to general Howe, in the command of the army 
in the southern department of the United-States. If general 
Howe had acted on his own judgment, he would probably have 
retired from Savannah on his obtaining a knowledge of the 
great superiority of the enemy's force ; but he placed himself in 
the council of his officers, who at any other place, and under any 
other circumstances, would have advised him correctly; but 
their private feelings and their pecuniary interests, were too 
deeply and immediately concerned to advise with a correct judg- 
ment. He had long been apprised of the contemplated invasion 
of Georgia, from ]^ew-York and Florida, and knowing that with 
his existing force, aided by the probable re-enforcements which 



384 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1119. 

he was to expect, the defence of Savannah and low country was 
problematical ; he ougnt to have removed, at least a part of his 
magazines and stores, to a place of greater security, and to have 
apprised the inhabitants of the propriety of removing their 
families, and most valuable moveable property from the place 
where the storm might burst on them unprepared for it. But 
the general had not contemplated his enemy on all his bearings, 
nor did he avail himself of all the advantages presented to him 
by his position. 

By a resolution of congress, dated the 26th day of September, 
1778, major-general Benjamin Lincoln was appointed to take 
the command of the army in the southern department, and 
ordered forthwith to repair to South-Carolina for that purpose. 

When general Lincoln arrived at Charleston, he embodied the 
troops remaining in South-Carolina, and on the 2-l:th of ]^o- 
vember was joined by the new levies from North-Carolina, 
which increased his force to twelve hundred men: with this 
little army, which was composed of a few regular troops, militia, 
and the levies from l^orth-Carolina, who were but little better, 
except in the uniformity of their arms ; he advanced to the re- 
lief of Georgia. On the 3d of January general Lincoln arrived 
at Purysburg, a few miles above Savannah, on the Carolina side 
of the river, where he was joined by general Howe and his suite, 
who gave him in detail an account of the disastrous engagement 
at Savannah. On the 4th, he was joined by the remnant of 
Llowe's army, which had been placed under the orders of colonel 
Huger. General Lincoln finding himself in no condition to ad- 
vance on his enemy, established his head-quarters at Purys- 
burgh, and waited for the expected re-enforcements. 

When general Provost had united the troops from Florida 
with those under the command of lieutenant-colonel Campbell, 
his force consisted of three thousand regular troops, and nearly 
one thousand loyal militia. He determined to complete the 
subjugation of Georgia, and to establish military posts as far 
as the populous settlements in the back country extended. He 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 385 

confided the garrison of Savannah, and the police of the neigh- 
bouring country, to lieutenant-colonel Alexander Innes ; he es- 
tablished a post at Ebenezer, twenty-five miles above Savannah, 
under the orders of lieutenant-colonel J. M. Provost; and ad- 
vanced lieutenant-colonel Archibald Campbell to Augusta, at 
the head of eight hundred infantry and a party of militia, to 
establish a post at that place and to take advantage of circum- 
stances in completing the conquest of the state. With the main 
body he watched the movements of the American general. 

Lieutenant-colonel limes issued a proclamation, requiring 
the inhabitants of the town and neighboring country to bring in 
their arms and accoutrements of every description, and deliver 
them to the store-keeper of the artillery, and to discover where 
arms, accoutrements, stores, and eifects of every description 
were buried or otherwise concealed ; asserting that strict search 
would be made, and if any efl'ects were discovered which had 
been secreted after the notice given, the inhabitants of such 
houses or plantations, where such concealments were made, 
would be punished as enemies to the royal government. Regu- 
lations were established, and places designated for the landing 
of all boats, which were to receive permits for their departure 
from the superintendant of the port, to prevent property from 
being carried away; and for a violation of this regulation, such 
boats and goods were to be confiscated, and the crews punished. 

On the 4th of January, previous to the arrival of general 
Provost, a joint proclamation was issued by commodore Sir 
Hyde Parker and lieutenant-colonel Campbell, as commanders 
of the royal navy and army in North-Carolina, South-Carolina, 
and Georgia, offering peace, freedom, and protection to the 
king's subjects in America, desiring them to repair without loss 
of time, and unite their forces under the royal standard ; rep- 
robating the idea of forming a league with the French, and 
thereby prolonging the calamities of war ; promising freedom 
from the imposition of taxes by the British parliament, and se- 
curing them in the irrevocable enjoyment of every privilege con- 
25 



386 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

sistent with the union of interests, on which their mutual advan- 
tage, religion and liberties depended. They promised ample pro- 
tection to the persons, families, and effects of those who would 
immediately return and acknowledge their allegiance to the 
crown, and support it with their arms ; and lamented the neces- 
sity of exhibiting the rigors of war against such as obstinately 
persisted in refusing to accept the terms of peace and happiness 
which were offered to them. Deserters of every description were 
invited to return within three months from the date of the proc- 
lamation ; such inhabitants as inclined to enjoy the benefits of 
the proclamation, were desired to repair to head-quarters, at 
Savannah, and take the oath of allegiance. 

On the 11th of January another proclamation was issued, 
offering a reward of two guineas for every citizen who adhered 
to the American cause, and ten guineas for every committee or 
assembly man, who should be taken and delivered to the com- 
manding officer of any of the king's garrisons. Prices were 
affixed to all articles of merchandize, country-produce, and mar- 
ket vegetables, and the violation of these rules was punished by 
the confiscation of the articles exposed to sale. Licenses to 
trade, were granted only to such as had taken the oath of alle- 
giance, and a penalty of one hundred pounds sterling was in- 
flicted on such merchants as dealt with any other than the king's 
subjects. The export of every kind of produce was prohibited, 
unless it was accompanied by a certificate from the superin- 
tendent of the port, that such articles were not wanted for the 
use of the king's troops. 

The families of those who adhered to the cause of their 
country, either in the camp or on board of prison-ships, were 
stripped by the British of every article of property, or necessary 
for subsistence that could be found: they were obliged to sus- 
tain life, and cover their bodies with such articles as were provi- 
dently secreted, or were received from the cold-handed charity 
of a lukewarm neighbour ; and however humble or scanty their 
morsel, gladly would they have shared it with a father, a brother, 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 387 

or a husband, who was offering his blood for his country, or suf- 
fering in a loathsome prison on a small allowance of unwhole- 
some food. 

Upon a representation of the suffering of the Americans in 
captivity, to general Lincoln at Purysburg, the general wrote to 
lieutenant-colonel Campbell, then on his march to Augusta, and 
proposed a conference with him at Zubley's ferry, for the ex- 
change of prisoners, and the parole of the officers until ex- 
changed. A negociation was consented to, and lieutenant- 
colonel James M. Provost was nominated to confer with major 
Thomas Pinckney on the subject. They had an interview on 
the 31st of January, and terms were proposed. 

Provost proposed that the regular troops taken in Georgia, 
the militia taken in arms, and the men taken on their farms, 
without regard to age, should be considered in the exchange as 
prisoners of war, and produced a list to shew the number. This 
list contained many of the names of those who had taken pro- 
tection, and those who had taken the oath of allegiance, and 
"joined the king's standard. In exchange, was required the 
Highlanders at Fredericksburg; and the remainder to be com- 
pleted from the prisoners taken with general Burgoyne. 

Major Pinckney proposed that continental officers and sol- 
diers should be exchanged for British officers and soldiers of 
corresponding rank, and that the militia who were willing again 
to take up arms, should be exchanged in the same way, and 
that the aged, and those who chose to retire and live peaceably 
on their farms under the British government, should be paroled. 

The unfairness, nay the absurdity of colonel Provost's prop- 
ositions, contrasted with the justness of those made by major 
Pinckney, was too variant for them to come to a speedy conclu- 
sion. The negociation was prolonged for five days ; but Pro- 
vost was inflexible, and finally observed, that he wished for a 
speedy answer, as the transports were ready to sail with the 
prisoners on board, either to ^ew-York or the West-Indies, as 
might be most convenient to Sir Tlvde Parker. This determi- 



388 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

nation, left with major Pinckney an embarrassing choice of 
evils: to leave the wretched prisoners to continue under their 
sufferings, or to establish a precedent, unjust in principle, and 
ruinous in its consequences to the cause of his country. He 
adhered to his propositions, and the negociation terminated in 
a disagreement. 

The failure of the negociation for the exchange of prisoners 
on the British propositions, which would have been so favour- 
able to them, and so injurious to the Americans, determined Sir 
Hyde Parker to add to the punishment of the American pris- 
oners who refused to enlist in the British service, by sending 
them to l^ew-York. jSTine of these unfortunate people had 
already died in one day, and seven had been the daily average 
of deaths for a week. Their refusal to enlist into the ranks of 
their enemy, and fight against their countrymen, occasioned the 
loss of one-third of their lives. 

The British chiefs had their emissaries busily employed in the 
back settlements of South-Carolina and Georgia. In the for- 
mer, a man by the name of Boyd, with others of inferior rank ; 
and in the latter, a man by the name of Thomas, and others who 
were subordinate to him. Boyd was an Irishman by birth, 
and had been several years an inhabitant of South-Carolina : he 
was bold, enterprising, and famed for acts of dishonesty: he 
had some time previously been at New- York, where he was in- 
vited to an interview with Sir Henry Clinton. During their 
conferences, the scheme of insurrection in the back country of 
South-Carolina was planned, and to be executed so soon as the 
British troops should gain possession of Savannah ; and on re- 
ceiving information of that event, Boyd was to assemble his 
troops and repair to the royal standard in Georgia. Boyd was 
early apprised by Campbell, of the success of the British arms 
in Savannah, and commenced the execution of his part of the 
plan, which had been concerted. 

The position which general Lincoln had taken at Purysburg, 
was well calculated to observe the movements of general Provost, 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1119. 389 

and wait for re-enforcements : the freshets in Savannah river, 
at that season of the year, overflovsred the swamps to the extent 
of two to four miles in breadth, and upwards of one hundred 
miles in length from the sea, so that neither general could assail 
the other with any prospect of advantage. By a field return on 
the 1st of February, general Lincoln had three thousand six 
hundred and thirty-nine men, composed of about six hundred 
continental troops, five hundred new levies, and one thousand 
three hundred effective militia: the residue were invalids, and 
without arms. If the American troops had been all effective 
and veteran, general Lincoln would have been about equal to 
his antagonist; but his numbers were principally made up by 
militia, on whom no denendance could be placed, when opposed 
to a veteran army. From the equality of the militia with their 
officers, and independence at home, they were unwilling to sub- 
mit to the requisite discipline of a camp: they must know 
where they were to go, what they were going to do, and how 
long they were to be absent, before they would move ; and if not 
satisfied on these points, and permitted to do as they pleased, 
they would be off, knowing that their punishment for desertion 
would be but a trifling pecuniary mulct. 

The duties assigned to general Lincoln were difficult and em- 
barrassing; but such difficulties and embarrassments were not 
assigned to him alone ; they were in common with every general 
officer in the American army. If it should be enquired, how 
such a state of things originated % It might be answered, that 
it had its source in the unreasonable jealousy, that a majority 
of the members of congress entertained of a regular army, 
which could have been easily enlisted for and during the war. 
If the army had been engaged for the war at an early period, 
the wisdom of the measure would have been apparent, the econ- 
omy great, the duration short, and the issue certain ; but by the 
mistaken policy of short enlistments and reliance on militia; 
thousands of lives were sacrificed, millions of dollars worth of 
property destroyed and expended, the war prolonged, the lib- 



390 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

erties of America jeopardised, and the well appointed armies 
of Great Britain, under experienced generals, were to be driven 
away by shadows like the birds and beasts of prey from the far- 
mer's field, by the twirling of his rattle. 

Early in February, a party of the enemy, commanded by 
major Gardiner, embarked in boats at Savannah, and proceeded 
by the inland passage, to take possession of Beaufort, on Port- 
Royal island, and establish a post ; they effected a landing, but 
were soon after attacked and defeated by general Moultrie with 
an equal force, nearly all militia of Charleston. In this engage- 
ment, which lasted about one hour, forty of the enemy were 
killed and wounded. The victory would have been more com- 
plete, if the scarcity of ammunition had not arrested the fire 
from the field pieces, and the infantry generally, at the time 
of the enemy's retreat ; they fled to their boats, and returned to 
Savannah. 

When lieutenant-colonel Campbell was advancing on Augusta, 
he detached colonels Brown and M'Girth, with four hundred 
mounted militia, to make a forced march to the jail in Burke 
county, where he had ordered colonel Thomas to meet them with 
a party of loyalists. Colonels Benjamin and William Few, as- 
sembled some militia and joined colonel John Twiggs, who had 
assembled a small force, making in the whole about two hun- 
dred and fifty. Colonel BroT^oi advanced and attacked them, 
and was defeated with the loss of five men killed, several others 
wounded, and nine were made prisoners by the Americans. 
Twiggs and Few retreated the ensuing day, expecting that 
Brown would be re-enforced by Campbell. Brown's troops were 
rallied in the night, and were re-enforced by two majors and a 
party of refugees from South-Carolina, and a detachment under 
major Sharp. Thus reenforced. Brown determined to renew 
the attack. Twiggs and Few met him, and defeated him with 
greater loss than he had sustained before, and himself was 
among the wounded. In the skirmish, captain Joshua Inman 
of the Americans commanded a troop of horse, and at the first 
onset, killed three of the enemy with his own hand. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 391 

General Elbert who had been ordered by general Lincoln, to 
proceed to the upper part of Carolina ; crossed the river Savan- 
nah, and joined colonels Twiggs and Few: they advanced to 
Brier creek and skirmished with Campbell's front, and after- 
ward, occasionally, to impede his progress toward Augusta ; ex- 
pecting to be re-enforced by colonel Andrew Williamson, from 
Carolina, and colonel Elijah Clarke from Wilkes county; but 
those officers with their troops, were too much engaged in a 
diiferent quarter to afford relief. Elbert and Twiggs retired, 
and Campbell took possession of Augusta the last of January, 
where he established a post, and placed it under the orders of 
colonel Brown. 

So soon as it was known in Wilkes county, that the British 
had taken possession of Augusta, such of the inhabitants as 
could remove with their families and property, passed over into 
South-Carolina and encamped. They took with them the rem- 
nants of their stocks of cattle, which yielded them a scanty sup- 
ply of meat and milk, and the inhabitants of Carolina divided 
freely with them their bread kinds of food and other comforts, 
which they could spare. The inhabitants who could not remove 
by their own means, or by the assistance of their neighbours, 
remained in the forts or on their farms, accordingly as they 
were more or less exposed to ravages of the Indians. 

About the 1st of February, lieutenant-colonel Campbell spread 
his military posts over the most populous parts of Georgia, and 
all opposition to the British arms ceased for a few days: the 
oath of allegiance was administered to the inhabitants who re- 
mained, and the torch to the habitations of those who had fled 
into Carolina. 

When the families from Georgia were placed in security, the 
men assembled under their leader, colonel John Dooley, and 
took a position on the Carolina shore of the Savannah river, 
about thirty miles above Augusta. M'Girth, with three hun- 
dred loyalists, had taken a position at Kioka creek, twenty-five 
miles above Augusta, on the Georgia side of the Savannah river, 



392 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

with orders to watch the ferries and passes, and to take posses- 
sion of all the boats: colonel Dooley had parties similarly em- 
ployed on the opposite shore. Dooley returned into Georgia, 
with a part of his troops, but was obliged to retire before one 
of M'Girth's detachments, commanded by major Hamilton, 
which pressed him closely and fired upon his rear as he re- 
crossed the Savannah, a short distance below the mouth of Broad 
river. Hamilton having driven the Americans from the western 
parts of the state, encamped at Waters' plantation, three miles 
below Petersburgh, with one hundred men. Dooley took a posi- 
tion opposite to him in Carolina, where he was joined by colonel 
Andrew Pickens with two hundred and fifty men of his regi- 
ment : their number thus united, was about three hundred and 
fifty. Though colonel Dooley was the senior officer, there ap- 
pears to have been a private understanding between him and 
colonel Pickens, that the latter was to command. Dooley ap- 
pears to have yielded to this measure, from the circumstance of 
three-fourths of the command belonging to Pickens' regiment. 

With this united force, it was determined to attack Hamil- 
ton's detachment. On the night of the 10th of February, they 
passed over at Cowen's ferry, about three miles above Ham- 
ilton's encampment, and marched to attack him early in the 
ensuing morning, but Hamilton had marched, unapprehensive 
of danger, on an excursion through the country, to visit the forts 
and administer the oath of allegiance to such inhabitants as 
fell in his way. The Americans pursued the enemy, and imag- 
ining that Carr's fort would be their first object. Captain A. 
Hamilton, of South-Carolina, was directed to take a guide, pro- 
ceed to that fort and defend it with such men as might be found 
there, and that the main body would move up quickly and attack 
the enemy in the rear. Intelligence was given at the fort in 
due time for defence, but there were only seven or eight aged 
and infirm men in it, who dreaded the consequences which would 
attend a failure of the attack, refused to comply with the order. 
The Americans were close in the enemy's rear when they 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 393 

reached the fort, and anxiously listened for the signal gun, but 
they had the mortification to observe that the fort gate was 
opened, and the attack was then necessarily commenced, with- 
out any of the contemplated advantages. The enemy left their 
horses and baggage, took possession of the fort and defended it. 
A brisk fire was supported by both parties, but with little effect 
on either. The enemy's fire commanded the spring, and as a 
siege was determined on, to cut off the supply of water from 
the besieged, was no longer to be neglected by the assailants. 
The possession of a new log building near the fort would ac- 
complish this object, as it commanded the spring. The build- 
ing could be approached only through an open exposure to the 
enemy's fire ; which was suddenly accomplished by captain Wil- 
liam Freeman, with about forty men of his company. Early 
in the evening, the enemy's horses, accoutrements, and baggage 
were brought off, and all the avenues for their escape, secured. 
In the afternoon the enemy had been summoned to surrender, 
which was refused. A request succeeded, that the women and 
children might be permitted to leave the fort, which was also 
refused. The possession of the new building, which gave the as- 
sailants the command of the water ; also gave them the command 
of the tops of the huts within the fort, from whence the most 
injurious fire proceeded. The enemy was without food and 
water, and it was confidently believed that they could not hold 
out twenty-four hours. The sanguine expectation of a sur- 
render, and thereby recovering the western district of Georgia, 
was marked with pleasure in the enlivened countenances of the 
besiegers ; but disappointment awaited them. About ten o'clock 
at night, colonel Pickens received a letter by captain Ottery from 
his brother, captain Joseph Pickens, by which he was informed, 
that colonel Boyd was passing through Ninety-six district with 
eight hundred loyalists, toward Georgia ; spreading destruction 
of property and of lives, by fire and the sword, wherever he 
passed. A proposition was made by some volunteers to set fire 
to the fort at different places, at the same time, which would 



394 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

compel an immediate surrender ; but the distress of the unfortu- 
nate families within the fort, consequent on such a measure, in- 
duced colonels Pickens and Doolej to decline the proposal. The 
siege was raised, the wounded carried off, and major Hamilton 
left in quiet possession of the fort, dismounted and without 
baggage. Hamilton retreated to Wrightsborough, where he ten- 
anted a small stockade fort for a few days, and thence marched 
to Augusta, and joined lieutenant-colonel Campbell. In Ham- 
ilton's report, he states his loss at nine killed and three wounded ; 
and the American loss at five killed and seven wounded. 

The Americans retired from Carr's fort, recrossed Savannah 
river, near fort Charlotte, and advanced toward Long-Cane set- 
tlement, where re-enforcements were expected, and to meet the 
enemy under the command of colonel Boyd. Captain Robert 
Anderson, of Pickens' regiment, hearing of the advance of Boyd, 
through the settlement, directed captains Joseph Pickens, Wil- 
liam Baskin, and John Miller, to join him without loss of time 
with such force as could speedily be collected. Anderson crossed 
the Savannah with eighty men, intending to annoy Boyd on his 
passage over the river, where he was joined by a few Georgians 
under captain James Little. Boyd changed his route and took 
a direction to the Cherokee ford, in order to avoid Pickens and 
Dooley. At that ford a block house had been erected on the 
north-east side, upon a commanding hill, in which there were 
two swivels mounted, commanded by a lieutenant with eight 
men. Boyd demanded a passage, which being spiritedly refused, 
he turned up the river about five miles, passed it with his men 
and baggage on rafts, and swam his horses. Boyd's troops 
landed at different places : by the small comparative force under 
captain Anderson, and the thick canebrakes on the low grounds, 
he was unable to observe and attack the enemy at the different 
landings : his attention was arrested by what he conceived to 
be the main body. As the enemy approached the landing, An- 
derson commenced his fire and opposed them with great resolu- 
tion; but finding himself unexpectedly attacked in the rear, he 
ordered a retreat. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 395 

The American loss in this skirmish, was sixteen killed and 
wounded, and sixteen taken prisoners : among the latter, were 
captains Baskin and Miller. 

Colonel Boyd acknowledged a loss of one hundred in killed, 
wounded, and missing ; many of this number deserted him and 
returned to their homes. 

Captain Anderson secured as many of his wounded as his 
situation would enable him, retreated and joined Pickens and 
Dooley in pursuit of the enemy. 

On the 12th of February, the Americans passed over Savan- 
nah river, into Georgia, at the Cedar shoal, and advanced to 
Fish dam ford on Broad river. Captain Neal, with a party of 
observation, was ordered to gain the enemy's rear, and occa- 
sionally send a man back with the result of his discoveries, so 
as to keep the main body well informed of the enemy's move- 
ments. To avoid danger, Boyd at first shaped his course to the 
westward, and on the morning of the 13th, crossed Broad river 
near the fork, at a place now called Webb's ferry, and thence 
turned toward Augusta, expecting to form a junction with 
M' Girth at a place appointed on Little river. The corps of ob- 
servation, under captain Neal, hung close upon the enemy's 
rear, and made frequent communications to Pickens and 
Dooley. The Americans crossed Broad river, and encamped 
for the night on Clarke's creek, within four miles of the enemy. 
Early on the morning of the 14th, the Americans resumed their 
march with a quickened pace, and soon approached the enemy's 
rear, but with such caution as to remain undiscovered. The 
line of march was the order of battle, wherever the face of the 
country admitted of it: colonel Dooley commanded the right 
wing and lieutenant-colonel Clarke the left, each consisting of 
one hundred men ; and the centre by colonel Pickens, consisting 
of two hundred, and an advance guard, one hundred and fifty 
yard^ in front. Under three leaders, whose courage and mili- 
tary talents had been often tested ; this inferior number, of four 
against seven, looked forward to a victory with great confidence. 



396 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

Early in the morning, they passed the ground where the enemy 
encamped the preceding night. 

Colonel Boyd was unapprehensive of danger, and halted at 
a farm on the north side of Kettle creek ; his horses were turned 
out to forage among the reeds in the swamp, and some bullocks 
were killed, and corn parched to refresh his troops, who had 
been on short allowance for three days. The encampment was 
formed on the edge of the farm next to the creek, on an open 
piece of ground, flanked on two sides by the cane swamp. The 
second officer in command, was lieutenant-colonel Moore, of 
Xorth-Carolina, who it is said, possessed neither courage nor 
military skill : the third in command, major Spurgen, is said 
to have acted with bravery, and gave some evidence of military 
talents. 

After the Americans had marched three or four miles, the 
enemy's drums were heard to beat. They halted for a few 
minutes, and were ordered to examine their guns and prime 
them afresh. Captain M'Call had been ordered in front to ex- 
amine the enemy's situation and condition, and to report it ; 
he reported the situation of the encampment, the nature of the 
adjacent ground, and that the enemy were, apparently, un- 
suspicious of danger ; having passed the flank within musket 
shot, and in full view. Satisfied upon these points, the Ameri- 
cans advanced to the attack. As the camp was approached, the 
enemy's piquets fired and retreated. Boyd ordered the line to 
be formed in the rear of his camp, and advanced at the head of 
one hundred men, who were sheltered by a fence and some fallen 
timber. The American centre filed off a little to the right, to 
gain the advantage of higher ground. Boyd contended for the 
fence with bravery, but was overpowered and compelled to order 
a retreat to the main body. On his retreat he fell under two 
wounds through the body and one through the thigh, which 
proved mortal. The other two divisions were embarrassed in 
passing through the cane, but by this time had reached their 
points of destination, and the battle became warm, close and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 397 

general, and some of the enemy who had not formed, fled into 
the cane and passed over the creek, leaving behind them their 
horses, baggage, and some of their arms. Colonel Clarke ob- 
served a rising ground on the opposite side of the creek, in the 
rear of the enemy's right, on which he believed they would at- 
tempt to form. After a warm contest, which lasted an hour, the 
enemy retreated through the swamp over the creek. Clarke 
ordered his division to follow him across the creek, and at the 
same moment his horse was shot, and fell under him; he was 
quickly re-mounted, and fortunately fell into a path which led 
to a fording place on the creek, and gained the side of the hill. 
His division had not heard, or had not understood the order, 
in consequence of which not more than one fourth of it, followed 
him. While major Spurgen was forming the enemy upon one 
side of the hill, colonel Clarke attacked him upon the other side ; 
which gave intimation to the remainder of his division, by 
which he was soon joined. Colonels Pickens and Dooley pressed 
through the swamp with the main body in pursuit, and when 
they emerged from the cane, the battle was again renewed with 
great vigour. For a considerable time the contest was obstinate 
and bloody, and the issue doubtful. The Americans finally 
gained the summit of the hill ; the enemy began to retreat in 
some confusion, and fled from the field of battle. 

This engagement is said to have lasted one hour and forty- 
five minutes, and for the last half hour was close and general. 
Great credit is given to colonel Clarke for his foresight, in 
speedily occupying the rising gi-ound on the west side of the 
creek, upon which the victory appears to have been balanced. 
Considering the equality of the troops in point of military ex- 
perience and equipment ; and that the numbers in the ranks of 
the enemy were seven to four; the result of this engagement 
reflects great honor and credit on the American officers and sol- 
diers who were engaged in it, and it was justly considered a 
brilliant victory. 

About seventy of the enemy were killed and died of their 



398 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

wounds, and seventy-five were taken prisoners, including the 
wounded who could be carried off the ground. The American 
loss was nine killed, and twenty-three wounded, two mortally. 
The prisoners that Boyd had taken at the skirmish on Savannah 
river, were in charge of a guard in advance, which consisted of 
thirty-three men, including officers, with orders, in case of disas- 
ter, to move toward Augusta. When the guard heard the result 
of the engagement, they voluntarily surrendered themselves 
prisoners to those whom they had in captivity, upon a promise 
of their influence for pardon and permission to return home. 
This promise was complied with, upon condition that they would 
take the oath of allegiance to the American government. , 

After the action was ended, colonel Pickens went to colonel 
Boyd and tendered him any services which his present situation 
would authorize, and observed, that as his wounds appeared to 
be mortal, he would recommend those preparations which ap- 
proaching death required : Boyd thanked him for his civilities, 
and enquired, what had been the result of the battle ? Upon 
being informed that victory was with the Americans ; he ob- 
served, that it would have been otherwise if he had not fallen. 
He said, that he had marched from his rendezvous with eight 
hundred men ; one hundred of that number was killed and 
wounded, or deserted at Savannah river ; and that on the morn- 
ing of the action, he had seven hundred men under his com- 
mand. He had the promise of colonel Campbell, that M'Girth 
with five hundred more, should join him on Little river, about 
six miles from the field of battle, on that evening or the ensuing 
morning; he concluded By saying, that he had but a few hours 
to live, and requested that colonel Pickens would leave two men 
with him to furnish him with water, and bury his body after he 
died ; and that colonel Pickens would write a letter to Mrs. Boyd 
to inform her of his fate, and therewith send to her a few articles 
which he had about his person: he expired early in the night, 
and his requests of colonel Pickens were faithfully complied 
with. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 399 

Dispirited bj the loss of their leader, and sore under the 
lashes of the Americans, the enemy fled from the scene of action ; 
their army exploded, and some of the fra^^ments fled to Florida, 
some to the Creek nation, some found their way to the Chero- 
kees, some returned to their homes and submitted to the mercy 
of the American government, and the remnant under the com- 
mand of colonel Moore, fled to Augusta, where they expected 
some repose from fatigue and defeat ; about two hundred of 
the insurgents reached Augusta, who had little claim to merit 
or the respect of the British army, and were neglected and 
treated accordingly. 

The parties of Boyd and M'Girth would have formed a junc- 
tion in a few hours, if the Americans had not over-hauled the 
former: hearing of the fate of their friends, M'Girth and his 
party made a precipitate retreat to \ugusta and rejoined the 
British troops under Campbell. 

The insurgents taken at Kettle creek, were conveyed to South- 
Carolina and tried by laws of the state ; found guilty of treason, 
and sentenced to suffer death : the sentence was executed on five 
of the most atrocious offenders, and the others were pardoned. 

The Americans returned from the field of action, and en- 
camped for the night near the place where the town of Wash- 
ington now stands, and re-crossed the Savannah river on the 
15th, near fort Charlotte. 

In the several engagements at Carr's fort and Kettle creek, 
the Americans took as booty, about six hundred horses and their 
equipments, with a quantity of arms, accoutrements, and cloth- 
ing. 

Colonel Campbell had secured the submission of the eastern 
and many of the western inhabitants of Georgia, by the lures 
of peace and security of persons and property, without being 
compelled to take up arms : this illusion was but of short dura- 
tion. 

Shortly after the action of Kettle creek, general Andrew Wil- 
liamson, with a part of the militia of his brigade, and some of 



400 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

the Georgia militia, took a position near Augusta, on the Caro- 
lina side of the river. Colonel I^eonard Marbury, with fifty 
dragoons of his regiment and some militia, took post near 
Brown sborough, in Richmond county. Colonel Twiggs, and 
lieutenant-oolonel John M'Intosh, assembled some of the militia 
of Richmond county, and passing downward in the rear of the 
British, at Augusta, surprised one of their out-posts at Her- 
bert's, consisting of seventy men ; killed and wounded several of 
the British regulars and militia, and compelled the remainder 
to surrender. 

A reconnoitering party of twenty of the king's rangers, under 
the command of captain Whitley, and lieutenants M'Kenzie, 
and Hall, was sent toward Brownsborough to ascertain if there 
was any American force assembling in that quarter. Colonel 
Marbury's spies gave him intelligence of Whitley's position and 
force. Marbury detached captain Cooper, with twelve dragoons, 
to gain Whitley's rear, while he advanced on his front, giving 
sufiicient time for C.Qoper to get to the position assigned to him : 
Cooper gained the rear much sooner than was expected, and 
charged the enemy while at dinner ; Whitley and his party were 
surprised, and surrendered without resistance. Lieutenant Hall 
was a native of South-Carolina, and had formerly been in the 
American service, commanded in a small fort on the frontier 
of that state, which he treacherously surrendered to the Chero- 
kee Indians, by which the women and children, as well as the 
men who garrisoned the fort, fell a sacrifice under the knife and 
hatchet of the Indians. Hall was sent to the gaol at Ninety- 
six, and tried for treason, found guilty, and condemned to be 
hanged on the I7th of April. When at the gallows, he confessed 
his crime, and acknowledged the justice of his sentence. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

GENERAL JOnis^ ASH, with a body of North-Carolina 
militia was advancing to re-enforce general Samuel 
Elbert, and about to form a junction. Colonel Campbell 
finding his position was unsafe, suddenly abandoned it and re- 
treated to Hudson's ferry, about fifty miles from Savannah, 
where lieutenant-colonel Provost had constructed a fortified 
camp, and mounted some light artillery: he evacuated Augusta 
so precipitately, that he did not take time to destroy a consider- 
able quantity of provisions which he had collected at that place. 
General Ash passed the river at Augusta on the 28th of 
February, and pursued Campbell as far as Brier creek, where 
he halted and encamped. General Lincoln with three thousand 
men, was encamped at Purysburgh: general Rutherford, from 
North-Carolina, with seven hundred men, was encamped at 
Black swamp : general Williamson, with twelve hundred men, 
was encamped at Augusta: and general Ash, with seventeen 
hundred men, was encamped at Brier creek ; in a position the 
most completely calculated for the destruction of his army, of 
any which he could have selected, if the enemy should attack 
and defeat him ; with a deep impassable creek on his left, the 
Savannah river on his rear, a lagune, deep and wide, on his 
right, and an open uninterrupted entrance for his enemy on 

his front. 

General Lincoln believed himself sufficiently strong to com- 
mence active operations against the enemy ; to which end he re- 
quired general Ash to meet him and general Moultrie, at gen- 
eral Rutherford's quarters, at Black swamp, on the first of 
March, to concert measures for future operations. In the coun- 
cil it was agreed to concentre their forces, attack the enemy, and 
endeavour to recover Georgia: general Lincoln was to march 
with a large portion of the troops at Purysburgh, and general 
Rutherford from Black swamp, to proceed up the Savannah 
river, about eighty miles and cross over into Georgia ; form a 
26 



402 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

junction with general Williamson ; thence march down the river 
and unite his force with general Ash. It was enquired of Ash, 
if his position was secure, and such that his troops could act 
with the best advantage ? General Ash expressed himself con- 
fidently, as to the safety of his command, against any force, in 
the power of the enemy to bring against it : he observed that the 
enemy appeared to be afraid of him, believing his numbers to 
be greater than they were ; he only asked for a detachment of 
artillery with two field pieces, which general Lincoln ordered 
to his assistance, commanded by major Grimkie. 

Aware of the gathered strength of the Americans, and believ- 
ing that the first movement of general Lincoln would be to con- 
centre his forces, Lieutenant colonel Campbell determined to 
strike at Ash, whose position was just such as he could have 
wished it to be. He advanced a battalion of the seventy-first 
regiment and one hundred and fifty Carolina loyalists to Buck 
creek, three miles south of Brier creek bridge, to amuse the 
American general, and mask his real design. Lieutenant col- 
onel Provost with eight hundred and fifty of the regular in- 
fantry, two hundred dragoons, two hundred Florida rangers, 
mounted, four hundred and fifty loyal militia, and a detach- 
ment of artillerists with five field pieces, was ordered to march 
by a circuitous route of about forty miles, to gain the rear of 
general Ash, and to surprise and attack him in his camp. In 
the evening of the 1st of March, Provost marched up on the 
south side of Brier creek: early in the morning of the 2d he 
reached the crossing place, but the Americans had destroyed the 
bridge : a temporary one was constructed, but by the want of 
suitable cordage and grapnels, it could not be fixed to withstand 
the current, and a pontoon was substituted, which occasioned 
considerable delay: the light infantry and cavalry were passed 
over on the evening of the 2d, and ordered to advance and cut 
off all information, and to separate the detachments of observa- 
tion from the American camp. The main body of the troops 
and artillery, had passed before day-light on the morning of the 
3d, and continued their march. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 403 

On the morning of the 3d, general Ash ordered major Ross, 
of South-Carolina, with three hundred horsemen to pass Brier 
creek, and reconnoitre the enemy at Hudson's ferry ; with an 
intention of attacking that post so soon as he was re-enforced by 
general Rutherford, if major Ross should report that the meas- 
ure was feasible. Ross discovered the trail of a part of the 
enemy advancing, but did not deem it of sufficient importance to 
be communicated to the general. Colonel Leonard Marbury 
with his dragoons, had been detached to watch the upper passes 
of Brier creek, and exchanged a few shot with the van of the 
enemy as they passed it, at Paris' mill ; of which he sent an 
express to apprise the general, but the express fell into the hands 
of the enemy. General Elbert, who was attached to Ash's com- 
mand, had obtained intelligence of Marbury 's recontre, of which 
he informed Ash early in the day. 

General Andrew Williamson was advancing from Augusta 
to join general Ash; and although at a considerable distance, 
had detached parties to reconnoitre the enemy. It was from 
an express sent from one of these parties by Williamson, that 
Ash obtained the first intelligence, that the enemy was advancing 
on him, which was just communicated, when the general re- 
ceived a message from colonel Smith, in confirmation. Smith 
commanded the baggage guard, about eight miles up the river 
from the encampment. 

Ash had reduced his present force, to eight hundred men, by 
detachments. About a mile in advance of his camp, and a 
short distance above the main road, and bridge of Brier creek, 
he had posted a piquet guard of one hundred men, which was 
sub-divided into several parts, with a chain of centries along 
the front ; and in their rear, the light infantry was posted with 
a four pounder. 

General Ash ordered the beat to arms ! and strange as it may 
appear, at that late hour, cartridges were to be distributed to 
the militia, some of whom had rifles, some shot guns, a few had 
muskets, and some were without arms. 



404 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

Thus equipped, without any pre-concerted plan, general Ash 
ordered his troops into the line of battle in three divisions ; the 
right, under the command of colonel Young ; the centre, under 
the command of general Bryant; the left was committed to the 
care of general Elbert, and lieutenant-colonel John M'Intosh ; 
and consisted of about sixty continental troops and one hundred 
and fifty Georgia militia, to which a light field piece was at- 
tached. 

At three o'clock, p. m. the enemy's advance-guard attacked 
and drove back the American piquets, and took some prisoners, 
who gave information that the Americans were unsuspicious 
of an enemy in force, being near. Provost made his disposition 
for action : the light infantry, with two field pieces, was formed 
on the right, with orders to penetrate by a road leading toward 
the American camp : the centre was composed of the second 
battalion of the seventy-first regiment, with some rangers and 
Carolina loyalists on its left, and with a howitzer and two field 
pieces in front; the left consisted of one hundred and fifty 
dragoons, with orders to turn the American right: the reserve 
was formed four hundred yards in the rear, composed of three 
companies of grenadiers, and a troop of dragoons ; and fifty 
riflle-men were placed in ambuscade at a pass, by which it was 
supposed the Americans might turn their left and attack their 
rear. At four, p. m. the British moved forward and commenced 
the attack. 

When general Ash had formed his line, he advanced about 
a quarter of a mile in front of his encampment, with his left 
at the creek, and his right extending within a half mile of the 
river swamp. The British advancing in three columns of six 
in front displayed, and opened their fire at the distance of one 
hundred and fifty yards from their cannon. The American 
centre, which was in advance, began to retreat in about five min- 
utes, and the right broke and ran the instant they were attacked. 
Colonel Young, who commanded the right, said that it was not 
his intention to retreat ; but perceiving that the enemy intended 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 405 

to turn his right, he wished to file off to the right to prevent it, 
but his troops construed his intentions into an order to retreat. 
The centre and right fled in the utmost confusion. General 
Elbert with the left, maintained his ground with so much gal- 
lantry, that the British reserve was ordered to support their 
right ; and notwithstanding the great superiority of the enemy, 
Elbert supj)orted the conflict, until every avenue of a retreat 
was cut off. Finding that further resistance would be temerity, 
he ordered his gallant little band to ground their arms and sur- 
render. Nearly the whole of his command was killed, wounded, 
or made prisoners. 

The Americans who fled, entered the river swamp, of two 
or three miles in extent, to escape from the enemy ; such of them 
as could swim passed the river, and many who made the attempt 
were drowned. 

The American loss was estimated at one hundred and fifty 
killed and drowned ; twenty-seven officers, and one hundred and 
sixty-two non-commissioned officers and privates, were taken 
prisoners ; seven pieces of field artillery, a quantity of ammuni- 
tion, provisions, and baggage, and five hundred stand of arms, 
were lost or fell into the possession of the victors. The British 
loss was one commissioned officer and fifteen privates killed 
and wounded. Generals Ash and Bryant, with two or three 
hundred of the fugitives were stopped at Bee's creek bridge, 
twenty miles from the scene of action, in the evening of the 
same day, by captain Peter Herry, who was marching with a 
detachment to join the camp ; some with, and some without 
aj-ms. 

The loss of general Elbert and his command, of Ideal's 
dragoons, and many of Pirkins' regiment of IsTorth-Carolina, 
was considered as seriously calamitous to Georgia ; which had 
more than one thousand men, including nearly all the regular 
troops of the state, in captivity with the British. 

The defeat of general Ash added something to the stock of 
American experience ; and although it was purchased at so high 



406 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779, 

a price, it had some effect on the subsequent conduct of the 
militia : their independence and ungovernable dispositions were 
checked ; and a practical lesson was taught them of the necessity 
of more subordination, and of guarding with greater precaution 
against surprise. On the evening after the defeat of general 
Ash, he made the following communication to general Lincoln: 

''MaWieivs' Blujf, March 3, 1779. 

"SiK — I am sorry to inform you, that at three o'clock, p. m. 
the enemy came down upon us in force, what number I know 
not : the troops in my division, did not stand fire five minutes ; 
many fied without discharging their pieces. I went with the 
fugitives half a mile, and finding it impossible to rally the 
troops, I made my escape into the river swamp, and made up 
in the evening to this place ; two officers and two soldiers cairie 
off with me. The rest of the troops, I am afraid, have fallen 
into the enemy's hands, as they had but little further where 
they could fly to : luckily major Grimkie had not got the artillery 
out of the boat, so that I shall keep them here with general 
Eutherford's brigade, to defend this pass, until I receive fur- 
their orders from you. This instant general Bryant and colonel 
Pirkins arrived. Colonel Eaton was drowned crossing the 
river.* Since writing the above, a number of officers and sol- 
diers have arrived : we have taken a man, who says he was taken 
by them, and would not take their oath, and was formerly under 
Lee to the northward. He informed there were seventeen hun- 
dred red-coats in the action, also a number of new levies from 
New- York, Georgia militia, and Florida scouts: that fifteen 
hundred men had been marched up to Augusta to fortify that 
place; that they are fortifying Hudson's ferry strongly; that 
the day before they marched off, seven thousand men had ar- 
rived from New- York. Generals Bryant and Rutherford are of 
opinion, that it is better to retreat to your quarters: therefore 

* Colonel Eaton was not drowned, but the first who arrived at general 
Lincoln's camp, and gave an account of the defeat. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 407 

I am inclined to march to-night, when we get all our fugitives 
over. I am, &c. 

JOHK ASH." 

Majors Ross and Cooper, who had been detached to reconnoi- 
tre the enemy's camp at Hudson's succeeded in bringing off the 
piquet, consisting of forty men. They had entered the British 
camp before they were apprised of Ash's defeat. They suc- 
ceeded in making a retreat, but lost their prisoners. They 
marched up the river a few miles and fell in with Ash's am- 
munition waggons, which they escorted to Spirit creek, near 
Augusta. 

The defeat of Ash disconcerted the plans of general Lincoln. 
If the army had been concentred, as was intended, the American 
forces, including the re-enforcements about to join them, would 
have amounted to seven thousand men ; an army sufficient, as it 
was believed, to have driven the British troops out of Georgia. 
The wavering and disaffected would have joined the American 
standard, and South-Carolina would not have been invaded. 
The parties of militia, who were on their march to join the 
army, heard of the disaster, and returned home ; such as were 
j)reviously undecided in their politics, joined the enemy. 

In order to reconcile the inhabitants of this colony to Great- 
Britain, it was declared that no duty, tax, or assessment what- 
ever, should be levied upon the colonists, except only such duties 
as it should be expedient to impose for the regulation of com- 
merce ; the nett proceeds of such duties to be paid and applied 
only to the use of the colony. 

The eastern division of Georgia, having at this time fallen 
into the possession of the enemy, the English laws which had 
been in force to the close of the year 1775, re-commenced their 
operation. At the same time, president Heard, and the execu- 
tive council had retreated to Wilkes county; so that there was 
a royal government in the eastern, and a republican government 
in the western parts of the state at the same time. 

The different corps which composed the British army in 
Georgia, were the first, second, and third battalions of the 



408 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

seventy-first regiment of royal Scots light infantry ; part of the 
sixteenth and sixtieth regiments ; two battalions of Hessians ; 
Dulaney's corps from New- York ; Jersey volunteers ; King's 
rangers, and Carolina loyalists: making a total of more than 
four thousand men, and general Vaughn, with five thousand, 
were daily expected from New- York. After these arrived, the 
capital of South-Carolina was intended as the object of future 
operations. Previously to the embarkation of lieutenant-colonel 
Campbell, he had refused to take command of the southern 
British army, until he received assurances that the expedition 
against South-Carolina would be supported with adequate re- 
enforcements. He appears to have been dissatisfied with general 
Provost's having taken the chief command and government of 
Georgia, after he had made the conquest. 

Colonel Campbell was an ofiicer at all points ; circumspect, 
quick, brave, and profound in military finesse ; courteous, hu- 
mane, polished in his manners, and perfect in his knowledge 
of mankind. The departure of such an officer from the south- 
ern states, and from America, excited joyful sensation among 
the friends of freedom and independence. He sailed soon 
after for England. 

In addition to the British force already stated, five hundred 
Indians were assembled on the Alatamaha river, and a proffer 
of all the aid of the Creek and Cherokee Indians, under the 
influence of Stuart and Cameron, to engage in any enterprise, 
which might be required of them. 

Hudson's ferry and Paris' mill, were well fortified ; cannon 
mounted at each, and strongly garrisoned. Ebenezer and 
Sister's ferries, were put into a state of defence, and all the 
passes of Savannah river secured by the British. The light 
troops were held prepared to move to any point, on short notice. 

After the defeat of colonel Boyd, at Kettle creek, and the 
subsequent retreat of the British troops from Augusta ; the 
Georgians who had fled to South-Carolina for safety, returned 
with their families and property to Wilkes county. They had 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 409 

scarcely occupied the forts and settlements, before they were 
alarmed by the approach of a body of Creek Indians, under the 
command of Tate and M'Gilvery, two Indian agents in the 
British interest. The approach and destination of this party 
were ascertained from an intercepted letter written by colonel 
John Thomas, who had been directed to supply them with pro- 
visions so soon as they arrived, at Ogechee. 

Colonel Pickens marched from South-Carolina to the assist- 
ance of Georgia, with two hundred men of his regiment, and 
joined colonel Dooley, in Wilkes, with about one hundred. Col- 
onel Clarke remained on the frontier to guard the forts. At 
that period, every man of sixteen years of age and upward, was 
required to bear arms. Dooley's and Pickens' regiments were 
joined at Wrightsborough, by parts of colonel Few's regiment, 
colonel Leroy Hammond's, from Carolina, and major Ross, with 
two troops of horse. Lieutenants Alexander and Williams, were 
ordered to search for the Indian camp and ascertain their num- 
ber and position. They proceeded to the encampment near Ful- 
som's fort : they returned and reported to the commanding-offi- 
cer, that they had made a near approach to the camp, under 
cover of the night, and counted the numbers of the Indians at 
several fires ; from which they judged that there were about 
eight hundred. The Americans marched all night, with a hope 
of reaching and surprising the Indians, before day light, but 
some of the disaffected inhabitants, apprised Tate and M'- 
Gilvery, that the American army was approaching. Unwilling 
to meet in a general engagement, the Indians fled in small par- 
ties and in various directions. Detachments were ordered in 
the pursuit, and in three instances, the Indians were overtaken. 
Majors Ross and Cooper came up with the party which they 
followed, killed three and dispersed the remainder ; but unfor- 
tunately, major Ross received a mortal wound, of which he died 
two days after. The activity and courage of this officer, who 
possessed a mind quick in expedients, in taking advantage of 
an enemy, and fertile in invention, in escaping from embarrass- 



410 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

ments ; rendered his loss important to the cause in which he was 
engaged. Captain Newsom, lieutenants Bentlej and Alexander, 
with five others, fell into an ambuscade ; the two former, and 
a man by the name of Thomas, were killed ; the other five 
escaped with the loss of their horses and caparisons. Major 
Burwell Smith overtook the Indians which he pursued ; killed 
one, and had one of his own men wounded. 

With the greatest appearance of confidence, the functions of 
the royal government in the eastern division of the state, con- 
tinued in operation. The security of private property was 
promised, and the vents to wealth were laid open to those who 
had returned to the king's standard. On the 15th of March, 
John Penman, Martin Jollie, James Robertson, William Tel- 
fair, and Eoger Kelsal, were appointed commissioners of claims, 
by lieutenant-colonel Campbell. The duties assigned to this 
board, were to take possession of all the negroes, and other 
effects belonging to those who had taken an active part against 
the king's government. They opened an office in Savannah, 
and required all those who had possession of negroes or other 
effects, such as are above described, to make a return of them 
without delay ; otherwise prosecutions were to be commenced 
by the attorney -general against defaulters. 

The purport of Campbell's instructions to the commission- 
ers, was to appoint such overseers and managers as they might 
deem necessary, not only for the care and employment of the 
negroes, stocks, and effects, on the confiscated plantations of 
the American adherents, but also for the improvement and culti- 
vation of them. They were also directed to require of these 
overseers and managers, monthly reports, specifying the num- 
bers of negroes and stock, and the progress of cultivation made 
on the several plantations entrusted to their care. Regular ac- 
counts were required of the disbursements necessary in culti- 
vation, for the transportation of the proceeds to market, for 
the use of the king's troops, and other purposes, connected with 
the prosecution of the war. After paying the contingent ex- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 411 

penses, the residue was to be appropriated as above mentioned, 
under the direction of the governor and his council. Through 
the medium of these arrangements, the deluded inhabitants, 
who had yielded and taken the king's protection, vainly hoped 
for freedom from future taxation. 

The defeat of general Ash at Brier creek, was canvassed by 
the American army with great freedom : the public voice charged 
him with cowardice and a deficiency of military talents. Find- 
ing that he was viewed by all grades in the army, with contempt 
and disrespect, he demanded of general Lincoln, a court of en- 
quiry, which was granted. The court was convened on the 9th 
of March, with instructions to inquire into the causes which 
had occasioned the disastrous defeat of the American army, on 
the 3rd of that month, under the command of general John Ash, 
and to report the opinion of the court, relative to the military 
conduct of that officer. Brigadier-general Moultrie, was ap- 
pointed president ; brigadier-general Rutherford, colonels Arm- 
strong, Pinckney and Locke, members ; and Edward Hyrne, 
deputy-adjutant-general, recorder. General Ash was asked by 
the president, if he wished to make any observations to the court, 
before the witnesses were examined ? he answered in the affirm- 
ative. He proceeded to describe the situation of the camp be- 
tween Brier creek and Savannah river, and the country around 
it. He alleged that the creek was fordable above and below the 
camp, and that it was so narrow in many places, that by felling 
a tree across it, infantry could pass over without difficulty. 
The other observations made by the general, were similar to 
those in his narrative of the action and defeat. Lie added that 
he had no intrenching tools ; the time he had been upon the 
ground, was too short to admit of his making himself acquainted 
with its advantages or disadvantages; the militia under his com- 
mand were without pouches or cartouch boxes, nor was it in his 
power to prevent a useless waste of ammunition, if they had 
been supplied before the action. He acknowledged that he had 
galloped off the field of battle, while the Georgians under Elbert 



412 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

and M'Intosh were engaged, and without giving them any order 
to retreat ; but his intention was to gain the front of the retreat- 
ing militia, with a view of rallying them. With this intention 
he proceeded about three quarters of a mile, and finding the 
militia could not be stopped, and that death or captivity must 
be his own fate, if he persisted, he had entered the swamp to 
make his escape. Ash said that his own number was reduced 
by detachments and furloughs, to six hundred men, and he 
imagined he was opposed by three thousand. 

Several of the witnesses testified, that a large proportion of 
the army had been detailed for fatigue, distant guards, and 
scouting parties ; that the whole army was much fatigued from 
hard marches, and had been badly provisioned. The general 
was among the first who fled ; whether to rally his men or to 
make his escape, was variously conjectured ; the latter opinion, 
however, prevailed. General Bryant testified, that he disap- 
proved of the ground on which the encampment was formed, 
and that he expressed this opinion to general Ash ; but the 
quarter-master laid out the encampment, and assigned the offi- 
cers their different stations, agreeably to the orders of general 
Ash; that the enemy's spies had been on the lines all the night 
of the 2d, and that he had advised the general of his apprehen- 
sions of danger ; that on the day of battle, general Elbert and 
himself, advised the plan of marching out to meet the enemy, 
in preference to that of receiving the attack in the camp ; that 
he saw general Ash retire from the field, and as he supposed, to 
rally the militia ; that he did not discover any thing like sur- 
prise or cowardice, in the general's conduct ; and he believed 
every thing was done to prevent the defeat, which existing cir- 
cumstances admitted. 

Several of the witnesses testified, that the ammunition was 
not all distributed when the militia were ordered to form for 
action, that they heard complaints among the men near them, 
that the cartridges were too large for the calibres of their guns, 
and that it was useless for them to stand and be shot at, when 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 413 

it was not in their power to render any assistance. Others said 
it was time for them to shift for themselves, when their general 
had run away. Colonel Brevard testified that he heard general 
Ash say, it was too late to attempt to rally the men, before he 
left the field, and he saw him retreat immediately after, and 
it was his belief, that the general had not many men in front of 
him. Captain Fall testified, that the advanced piquets were 
completely surprised, and that many of them retreated without 
discharging their guns. 

After the evidence was closed, general Ash denied the asser- 
tions of general Bryant, and declared he had given that ofiicer 
verbal orders, for a removal from the place of encampment, 
before he crossed the river to the conference in Carolina with 
general Moultrie and general Rutherford, that he did not return 
until about noon, on the day preceding the battle, and that he 
was then surprised to find the troops upon the old encampment. 

"The court having maturely considered the matter before 
them, are of opinion, that general Ash did not take all the neces- 
sary precautions, which he ought to have done, to secure his 
camp and obtain timely intelligence of the movements and ap- 
proach of the enemy." 

General Lincoln did not order the trial of general Ash by a 
court-martial ; but it was believed, was governed by milder 
measures, which he conjectured were for the good of his country. 
Ash was popular as a man, which was the chief requisite with 
the militia in the choice of an officer — his military requisites, 
were not so much considered: the militia were brought into 
camp by persuasion, and kept there by soft and soothing treat- 
ment, and if not permitted to disobey orders, that were disagree- 
able to them, with impunity, they would desert ; and by the 
mildness of the militia laws of the several states, there was no 
adequate punishment for the offence. Some militia corps se- 
lected their officers, because they had testimonials of their cir- 
cumspection and courage ; to such, these observations are not 
meant to apply. 



414 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

While general Lincoln was encamped at Purysburgh, there 
was frequent skirmishing between small parties of his troops, 
with the enemy toward Savannah. On the night of the 20th 
of March, the Congress and Lee gallies, commanded by captains 
Campbell and Milligan, were ordered to attempt to surprise two 
British gallies, the Comet and Hornet, commanded by lieu- 
tenants Stone and M'Kenzie, which were at anchor near Yam- 
asee bluff, between Purysburgh and Savannah. To aid in the 
enterprise, forty militia were ordered to pass down by land, 
and take possession of a house opposite the enemy, in order to 
commence the attack at day-light the next morning. The mili- 
tia got possession of the house in due time, but the gallies got 
aground, and could not take their stations until nine o'clock, 
A. M. when the firing was opened on the British gallies, by land 
and water: the Thunderer British galley, commanded by lieu- 
tenant Terrill, advanced to the assistance of the other two, dis- 
lodged the militia and compelled them to retreat. After an 
hour's conflict, the enemy manned their boats with the intention 
to board : the Americans knowing what would be the result, 
from the enemy's superior force, took to their boats, and as 
many as could be accommodated, escaped. Captain Campbell 
and three Americans were killed, six wounded, and ten were 
made prisoners. The British lost one killed, and one wounded. 
The Congress galley had a crew of seventy men, and the Lee 
galley thirty-four. 

General Lincoln was deserted by numbers of the militia ; 
nearly one hundred had gone off in a few days, mostly to the 
enemy. 

By arrivals from ISTew-York, the British force in Georgia was 
increased to five thousand men, exclusive of re-enforcements 
from St. Augustine, parties of loyalists and Indian allies. The 
term of service for which the I^orth-Carolina militia had been 
drafted, was on the eve of expiring, without any immediate 
prospect of those arriving who were to replace them. 

Several of the inhabitants of Georgia, who had left their f ami- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 415 

lies, represented to general Lincoln, that all their property had 
been plundered and destroyed by the enemy, and desired him to 
point out to them any possible mean, by which their families 
could be secured against the want of subsistence. They ex- 
pressed their willingness to yield to the loss of property and 
e^^ery other privation, if their wives and families could be se- 
cured in the necessaries of life ; but that they should be left to 
suffer by the want of food, and under the continued insolence 
of their enemy, Avas rather more than their feelings could be ex- 
pected to endure. The general consented that such men as had 
families, should return to their homes, take protection, and re- 
main quiet until some change should take place. 

The embarrassments arising from two heads to the same army, 
were again to be experienced. On the 5th of April, the gover- 
nor of South-Carolina ordered general Williamson with his bri- 
gade, to march into the western parts of Georgia, and take ad- 
vantage of every favourable opportunity of harassing or annoy- 
ing the enemy, and to distress them to the utmost of his power ; 
to send parties to destroy all the cattle, horses, provisions and 
carriaffes thev could meet with in that state. This was in 
direct opposition to the conditions entered into by general Lin- 
coln, that they should remain quiet, until he was able to afford 
them protection, by marching an army into their country. This 
procedure on the part of the governor, had like to have produced 
a wound in the breast of the general, which would have been 
difficult to heal. General Moultrie foresaw the necessity of an 
immediate interference ; and with all that military wisdom and 
candour, for which he was so much esteemed, remonstrated to 
the governor against his interfering with the command of the 
army. Governor Eutledge was duly impressed with the pro- 
priety of the general's reasoning; and on all future occasions, 
issued his orders to the militia, with caution and delicacy. 

Some of the Georgia prisoners, who were exchanged for a 
like number sent from Charleston, were so much emaciated 
when they arrived in camp, that they were obliged to be car- 



416 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

ried from the boats, in which they were brought from the prison- 
ships. They complained highly of the ill-treatment which they 
had experienced on board these filthy floating dungeons, of 
which their countenances and emaciated bodies exhibited con- 
demning testimony. They asserted that they had been subsisted 
on condemned pork, which nauseated the stomach, and oat 
meal so rotten, that swine would not have fed on it ; that the 
staff officers, and the members of council from Savannah, shared 
in common with the soldiery ; even the venerable Bryan was 
obliged to partake such repasts, or die of hunger. The Jews of 
Savannah were generally favourable to the American cause, and 
among this persuasion, was Mordecai Sheftall, commissary- 
general, and his son, who was his deputy: they were confiiied in 
common with the other prisoners, and by way of contempt to 
their offices and religion, condemned pork given them for the 
animal part of their subsistence. In consequence of such food, 
and other new devices of mal-treatment, five or six died daily; 
whose bodies were conveyed from, the prison-ships to the nearest 
marsh and trodden in the mud ; from whence they were soon ex- 
posed by the washing of the tides, and at low water, the prison- 
ers beheld the carrion-crows picking the bones of their departed 
companions. 

General Lincoln's remonstrances to Sir Hyde Parker, against 
such inhuman conduct to prisoners, were disregarded : the flinty 
heart of Sir Hyde was not the abiding place of humane feelings, 
it was a laboratory where a savage might refine his cruelties, 
and free them from such dross. 

About the end of March, it was ascertained that the British 
were supplying their shipping, in Savannah harbour, with 
provisions and water, and that general Provost was re-calling 
detachments from his advanced posts on the river ; by which it 
was conjectured, that they intended to evacuate Savannah, and 
leave the coast of Georgia.- 

General Lincoln removed his quarters to Black swamp, and 
having received the expected re-enforcement from North- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1119. 417 

Carolina, consisting of seven hundred men, commanded by gen- 
eral Sumner, determined to adopt some plan of active opera- 
tions for the recovery of Georgia ; for which purpose, he called 
a council of his general officers on the 19th of April, 1779 ; 
consisting of brigadiers Moultrie, Huger, and Sumner. The 
general stated to the council, that the troops then at head- 
quarters, seven hundred from North-Carolina, five hundred at 
Orangeburgh, and those with general Williamson near Augusta, 
amounted to five thousand men ; and desired their opinion on 
the following plan of operation : to leave one thousand men at 
Purysburgh and Black swamp, to watch the passes on the river ; 
assemble the remainder near Augusta, pass the Savannah river 
into Georgia, take some strong ground, and prevent if possible, 
the enemy receiving supplies from the back settlements ; narrow 
their limits, prevent the loyalists and savages from Georgia and 
South-Carolina from joining them. After mature deliberation, . 
the council were unanimously of opinion, that the measures 
proposed were advisable, and ought to be adopted. 

One thousand men were placed under the orders of general 
Moultrie, for the defence of Purysburgh and the passes over 
Savannah river; and on the 20th of April, general Lincoln with 
two thousand men, continental infantry, cavalry, and militia, 
marched for Augusta, followed by his baggage and artillery. 

General Moultrie was ordered to hold possession of the passes, 
particularly Purysburgh, as long as possible ; and if the enemy 
should attempt to force their way toward Charleston, he was to 
retreat before them, and use every possible mean to retard their 
march, to skirmish with their front, and destroy the boats and 
bridges on the way ; to advise general Lincoln of every occur- 
rence, and to request the governor of South-Carolina, to put 
Charleston into the best state of defence, that time and circum- 
stances would admit. General Moultrie was informed, that if 
circumstances reqiiired it, general Lincoln would advance with 
the troops under his immediate command, on the rear of the 
enemy, at the first notice from Moultrie that such a movement 
was necessary. 
27 



418 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

General Lincoln appears to have contemplated some advan- 
tages over the enemy, by inducing general Provost to divide his 
force; by advancing a part of them against the American army, 
in Georgia, or by a diversion into Carolina : in the latter event, 
he expected that Moultrie would be re-enforced by such num- 
bers, as to enable him to hold the enemy sufficiently in check, 
and render the efforts to be made in Georgia, more certain in 
their result. 

On the 23d of April, a party of about forty Indians, and 
white men painted like Indians, passed over the river at Yam- 
asee, four miles below Purysburgh, and attempted to surprise 
the guard: they were pursued, but escaped into the swamp. 
On the 25th, general Moultrie received intelligence that the 
enemy was in motion, and that some parties of them had passed 
over into South-Carolina, below the town of Savannah: he 
ordered lieutenant-colonel Henderson to retreat with his com- 
mand from Purysburgh to Coosawhatchie, and two days after- 
ward, a party of the British passed over from Abercorn to Purys- 
burgh, and attempted to surprise Moultrie at Black swamp. 
Moultrie filed off toward Charleston for the purpose of keeping 
in the enemy's front, and sent an express to general Lincoln to 
apprise him of their movements, and his intentions to harass 
and retard their progress, until he received re-enforcements. 
General Provost's army consisted of two thousand chosen troops, 
and seven hundred loyalists and Indians ; and Moultrie to op- 
pose him, had one thousand militia, and instead of his numbers 
increasing, his troops wasted away by desertion, and when 
he had retreated to Ashley river ferry, he had only six hun- 
dred men. 

Lincoln imagined that Provost only intended a feint on 
Charleston, to divert him from his purpose toward Savannah ; 
continued his march on the south side of the Savannah river, 
and sent three hundred light troops and the legion of Pulaski, 
which had been stationed at the ridge, forty-five miles north-east 
from Augusta, to re-enforce Moultrie. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 419 

Every advantageous j)ass was disputed with the enemy; and 
so effectually retarded their progress, by frequent skirmishes, 
that they did not reach Charleston until the 11th of May. 

When Provost appeared before Charleston, he made the appa- 
rent disposition for a siege, and demanded a surrender. Cal- 
culating that Lincoln was in pursuit of the enemy, it was 
deemed important to gain time. The re-enforcement sent by 
general Lincoln, and the legion of Pulaski, had arrived ; and 
the greatest exertions were used to place the town in a state of 
defence. Twenty -four hours were spent in negociations, which 
terminated in bidding the enemy defiance. Having failed in 
his expectations, and fearing that general Lincoln would fall 
upon his rear ; general Provost retreated precipitately over Ash- 
ley ferry, and formed a fortified encampment on Stono river, 
within reach of some small armed vessels and transports, by 
which he could secure a retreat toward Savannah, if he should 
be pressed by a force with which he was unable to contend. He 
collected all the boats which fell in his way, to facilitate the 
transportation of his troops from one island to another, or 
through the inland navigation, as might be advisable. 

When Lincoln arrived at Ashley river, he was doubtful of 
the issue of a general engagement with the enemy ; for although 
he was superior to his antagonist in numbers, he was far in- 
ferior in the quality of his troops and equipments, and was 
aware of the certain consequences of a defeat. It was therefore 
necessary for him to proceed with caution and not risk a battle, 
if the result appeared the least doubtful. He was apprehensive 
of the consequences of drawing his forces to one point, for a 
general attack, and leaving Charleston unprotected ; and to pre- 
vent the enemy from retreating by land to Savannah, he was 
obliged to guard the passes by strong detachments. Thus situ- 
ated, the two armies lay within thirty miles distance, for forty 
days, watching the motions of each other. 

The British army was encamped on John's island, near Stono 
ferry: and to preserve a communication with the main land, 



420 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

they had constructed some redoubts, and lines of communica- 
tion, on which some field artillery was advantageously placed, 
with an abatis in front, on the main land at the ferry, and placed 
a garrison of eight hundred men to defend it, under lieutenant- 
colonel Maitland. In the event of its being attacked, the main 
encampment was sufficiently near to afford re-enforcements. 

At length, on the 20th of June, an attack was made on the 
redoubts at the ferry. General Moultrie, with a body of the 
Charleston militia, was to have made a feint on the British en- 
campment, from James's island ; but from the difficulty of pro- 
curing boats, he was unable to reach the place of destination 
in time to make the diversion required. When the Americans 
advanced to the attack, two companies of the 71st regiment of 
Scots, sallied to support the piquets : lieutenant-colonel Hender- 
son with the light infantry charged them, and only nine of their 
number returned within their intrenchments. All the men at 
the field pieces, between their redoubts, were killed or wounded. 
Major Handley, who commanded the remnant of the Georgia 
continental troops, was attached to colonel Malmady's com- 
mand, and carried that part of the British works against which 
they acted. The failure of general Moultrie, in the diversion 
assigned to him, enabled general Provost to re-enforce the re- 
doubts, and made it necessary for general Lincoln to withdraw 
his troops ; a general sortie was made on the retiring Americans ; 
but the light infantry, commanded by Malmady and Henderson, 
held the enemy in check, and enabled the Americans to remove 
their wounded, and retire in good order. 

Soon after the action at Stono, the British commenced their 
retreat, and passed from island to island, until they arrived at 
Port-Royal, where Provost established a post with eight hun- 
dred men, under the orders of lieutenant-colonel Maitland, and 
thence returned to Savannah. 

While general Lincoln was employed against Provost, in 
South-Carolina ; colonels Dooley and Clarke were active in de- 
feuding the frontiers of Georgia, against Indian incursions ; 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 421 

and colonels Twiggs, Few, and Jones, were watching the British 
oiit-posts, to cut off supplies of provisions from the country. 
Private armed vessels, in the American service, were also em- 
ployed along the sea-coast. 

On the 4th of June, a party of British officers were engaged 
to dine with Mr. Thomas Young, at Belfast, on the river Med- 
way, to celebrate the king's birth day: captain Spencer, who 
commanded an American privateer, got intelligence of the in- 
tended feast, and prepared to surprise them. He proceeded 
up the river in the evening, and landed with twelve men, and 
between eight and nine o'clock at night Spencer entered the 
house, and made colonel Cruger and the party of officers, pris- 
oners of war. As Spencer intended to carry oft* some negroes, 
he kept his prisoners under a guard until the morning, when 
he received their paroles, and permitted them to return to Sun- 
bury. Colonel Cruger was soon after exchanged for colonel 
John M'Intosh, who had been taken prisoner at Brier creek. 

Colonel Twiggs, with seventy men, marched down Ogechee 
river, on the south side, to the plantation of James Butler, 
called Hickory hill, where he halted. On the 28th of June, he 
was informed that a party of forty mounted grenadiers, and 
three militia guides, under the command of captain Muller, 
were advancing to attack him. Major Cooper, of Marbury's 
dragoons, and captain Inman, with about thirty men, advanced 
to meet them, and formed across a rice dam on which Muller 
was advancing, and threw some brush-wood in their front, to 
serve as an abatis : the first fire was well directed, and several 
of the British fell from their horses ; captain Muller ordered 
his men to dismount and form; but under the circumstances of 
a galling fire, they were unable to effect it. Though Muller was 
shot through the thigh, he supported himself on his sword, and 
persisted in vain efforts to form his men, until he received an- 
other ball, which passed through his arm into his body. The 
Americans took advantage of a rice dam, which covered them 
from the fire of the enemy. Lieutenant Swanson, the second 



422 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

officer of the British detachment, was also wounded and fell, 
Twiggs observing the confusion occasioned in the ranks of the 
enemy, by the fall of their officers, ordered ten men to gain their 
rear and cut off their retreat, which was effected, and none of 
the detachment escaped, except the three militia guides, who 
ran away on the first fire. Of the British, seven were killed, ten 
Avounded, and the remainder taken prisoners. Of the Ameri- 
cans, colonel Maybank, who was a volunteer, and captain Whit- 
aker, were wounded. 

The situation of the wounded required the assistance of a 
surgeon, and Savannah being the nearest place where one could 
be obtained ; William Myddleton offered his services to carry a 
flag for that purpose. Captain Muller died before the surgeon's 
arrival. While Myddleton was in Provost's quarters, a British 
officer requested him to narrate the circumstances attending the 
skirmish; after he had given the particulars, the officer ob- 
served, that "if an angel was to tell him that captain Muller, 
who had served twenty-one years in the king's guards, with his 
detachment, had been defeated by an equal number of rebels, 
he would disbelieve it." Myddleton requested the officer's ad- 
dress, and observed that they were not then on equal terms, 
bvit hoped to have it in his power at a future time, to call him 
to an account for his rudeness. Colonel Provost rebuked the 
officer for using such improper language to the bearer of a flag : 
the officer retired. 

On the morning of the 28th, major Baker proceeded toward 
Sunbury with thirty men, and attacked and defeated a party 
under command of captain Goldsmith, at the White-house ; sev- 
eral of the enemy were killed and wounded ; among the former, 
was lieutenant Gray, whose head was almost severed from the 
body by a cut from the sabre of Robert Sallet. Baker marched 
to Sunbury, which he entered without opposition. 

The detachment which was defeated by Baker, at the White- 
house, were mounted recruits, enlisted for two years, under the 
denomination of Georgia royalists, to be commanded by James 
Wright, jun. so soon as the regiment was completed. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 423 

About the 25th of July, Sir James Wright returned from 
England and resumed the government of Georgia, but he did 
not remain long in the quiet administration of his government. 

The property of those, who resided in the eastern part of 
Georgia, and adhered to the cause of their country, was either 
plundered by the British troops and loyalists for private ac- 
count, or taken into possession by the commissioners of seques- 
tration for the king's use. All believed that they were to remain 
in the undisturbed enjoyment of their acquirements, by pillage 
and possession of that which had been abandoned by the Ameri- 
can oAvners and left among them. The Americans made frequent 
incursions in small parties, for the recovery of part of their 
property; and when a man succeeded in carrying away that 
which was his own, he was denominated a thief by the adherents 
of the royal government. Under such circumstances, it is not 
m.atter of wonder that the Americans resorted to measures of 
retaliation, as a means of indemnity. 

On the 3d of August, captain Samuel Spencer sailed into 
Sapelo sound, and one of the enemy's vessels, of six guns, ran 
down and attacked him. The engagement was well supported 
for fifteen minutes, when the enemy was boarded and sur- 
rendered. Spencer had one man wounded: the British, one 
killed, five wounded, and twelve were made prisoners. Spencer 
divided his crew, and collected a number of negroes and other 
property, which he carried in safety to the owners, who had 
fled to Carolina. The prisoners were paroled and landed on 
Sapelo island. 

About this time, some Indians and loyalists from the Creek 
nation, arrived at Savannah, and were employed on the borders 
of South-Carolina, with instructions, not to kill the women and 
children ; they returned in two days with five scalps, and three 
female prisoners, who were delivered to colonel Brown, at 
Ebenezer, as trophies of their valour : Brown rewarded them 
for their services. This was merciful warfare, when compared 
with that which was practised by the savages, under British 



424 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1719. 

agents, on the frontier settlements. That mode of hostility was 
warmly remonstrated against by general Lincoln, but without 
effect. 

M'Girth and his party, having no field for the exercise of 
their avocations in the eastern, turned their views to the western 
settlements, and made their excursions to obtain property by 
pillage. Colonel Twiggs assembled one hundred and fifty 
militia horsemen, for the purpose of attacking them, and 
marched on the pursuit. Twiggs selected from his party, those 
who were best mounted, and advanced with them in front : they 
found M'Girth with thirty or forty men, at Isaac Lockhart's, 
on Buck-head creek, and advanced to the attack. The skirmish 
continued about fifteen minutes, without much effect. Twiggs 
ordered the charge ; on which M'Girth made his escape into a 
neighbouring swamp, by the fleetness of his horse. In the re- 
treat, nine of the enemy were killed, nine wounded, and four 
taken prisoners ; among the latter, was lieutenant Morris, the 
second officer in command. Among the wounded, was M'Girth, 
by a ball passing through his thigh. Twiggs had one private 
killed, and a captain wounded. 



A 



CHAPTER IX. 

FTER the declaration of Independence, the attention of 
congress was directed to negociations with the nations 
of Europe, generally, to obtain their friendship and alli- 
ance, and with France particularly; believing that from the 
latter power something favourable was to be expected. France 
had long been jealous of the growing power of England. The 
increasing population and industry of the British North- Ameri- 
can colonies, daily aug-mented the power of Britain, and the 
consequent jealousy of France ; and the colonies having now de- 
clared independence, it was hoped by congress that France would 
take the advantage of the occasion, apply her power, and make 
the separation complete. Under such impressions, congress 
appointed Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, 
commissioners plenipotentiary, to repair to the French court 
and negociate ; and by every mean in their power, endeavour 
to induce the king of France to enter into a treaty of friendship 
and alliance with the United-States. 

The American commissioners repaired to France, and were 
received with civility by Monsieur De Vergennes, the French 
premier. Secret facilities were afforded to the states ; but the 
idea of a public acknowledgement, or of military aids, was dis- 
couraged. The existing policy of the French government was 
to remain at peace. 

Franklin, who understood the avenues to the human heart 
and to the springs of action of the French court, made his ad- 
dress to the queen, and became a favourite with her party. At 
length the policy of the king's ministers was changed ; and the 
independence of the United-States was acknowledged by France. 
This was followed by a treaty of amity and commerce, between 
France and the United-States, dated the 6th of February, 1Y78 ; 
on terms highly honourable to the former, and advantageous 
to the latter, in which no advantages were taken by France over 
the necessities and weakness of the United-States. The treaty 



426 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

of amity and commerce was accompanied by a treaty of alliance, 
eventual and defensive. 

When the French ambassador at the court of London, an- 
nounced that France had acknowledged the independence of the 
United-States, and entered into a treaty of amity and commerce 
with them, England considered it as an act of hostility and 
declared war. The apprehensions of England were increased, 
and new efforts were made to recover her colonies. 

Lord Carlisle, William Eden, and governor Johnstone, were 
appointed commissioners on the part of Great-Britain, and sent 
to America, with offers to relinquish the right of taxation, by 
the British parliament, and to confirm the colonies in every 
immunity consistent with a union of force. If these proposi- 
tions had been made in due season, they would have been well 
received ; but experience of the unjust pretensions of the Eng- 
lish government, over the American colonies ; the cruelties and 
violence committed on their citizens, through all the ramifica- 
tions of its power in America, which had generated resentments 
not easily appeased ; the recent alliance with France, and there 
being no acknowledgment of the independence of the United 
States, in the propositions for an accommodation; congress re- 
jected them with contempt. 

France having made positive the treaty of alliance, eventual 
and defensive, became a party in the war. A fleet was fitted 
out, and an army sent to the West-Indies, under the orders of 
the count D'Estaing: they made the conquest of the islands of 
St. Vincent and Grenada, and retired to Cape Francois. 

The recovery of Georgia was important, and no time was lost 
in soliciting the co-operation of the French fleet and army in 
the West-Indies, to obtain that object. This invitation co- 
incided with the instructions which the count had received from 
his government, and he cheerfully offered his services, to act 
in concert with the forces of the United-States, wherever they 
might be required, and promise advantage to the cause of either. 

General Lincoln made every exertion to collect an army, and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 427 

was sanguine in his hopes of success, in the execution of the 
concerted plan. The 11th of September was the time appointed 
for the rendezvous of the two armies at Savannah, and prepara- 
tions were made to invest the place. General Lincoln assembled 
the continental troops, and required the militia of South-Caro- 
lina and Georgia to take the field, and march toward Savannah. 
The scarcity of arms and ammunition, in the western parts of 
those states, made it necessary to furnish them from the arsenals 
and magazines of South-Carolina, and a detachment of the 
Georgia continental troops, commanded by general Lachland 
M'Intosh, was ordered to take charge of them and march to 
Augusta. 

The French fleet sailed from Cape Francois, on the 20th of 
August, by the windward passage. Count D'Estaing despatched 
two ships of the line and three frigates to Charleston, to com- 
municate his intentions and concert a plan of operations with 
the American general. On the 3rd of September, the des- 
patched ships were discovered by the British, off Tybee light, 
and the next day major-general the viscount De Fontanges, ar- 
rived at Charleston with dispatches for general Lincoln ; in- 
forming him that the French fleet was then off Savannah bar, 
and consisted of twenty-one ships of the line, two of fifty guns, 
eight frigates, and five small armed vessels, having on board 
five thousand men, including land troops, marines, and seamen, 
and that the fleet and army were ready to co-operate with him 
in the reduction of Savannah: at the same time, urged the 
necessity for despatch, as he could not remain long on the coast, 
at that season of the year. A number of boats were sent to the 
French fleet to assist in landing the troops, cannon, and stores. 

Colonel Cambray, of engineers, and major Thomas Pinckney, 
aid to general Lincoln, were ordered to accompany the viscount 
De Fontanges and concert with count D'Estaing the plan of 
operation against Savannah. 

The militia took the field with alacrity, supposing that noth- 
ing further would be necessary, than to march to Savannah and 



428 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

demand a surrender. Colonel Maitland with eight hundred 
men, retained his position at Beaufort, and general Lincoln had 
fixed his quarters at Sheldon, to prevent them from spreading 
into the country to obtain provisions: thus occupied, general 
Lincoln could not march to Savannah until the French troops 
were ready to land. 

General Provost could not mistake the object of the combined 
forces. He re-called his detachments from the advanced posts : 
he ordered lieutenant-colonel Cruger to evacuate Sunbury, to 
embark the sick and invalids in the small armed vessels, and 
send them by the inland navigation to Savannah, under the 
care of captain French, and to march with the land troops to 
Savannah, without loss of time. Captain French did not reach 
Savannah : by the prevalence of head winds, he was detained 
until the French ships were in possession of the pass ; he then 
sailed up Ogechee river, and finding the land passage was occu- 
pied by the Americans, he landed and fortified his camp, about 
fifteen miles south from Savannah : in front of it he placed four 
armed vessels, one of fourteen guns, and three of four guns each, 
manned by forty seamen ; his land force was one hundred and 
eleven regular troops, generally invalids, and one hundred and 
thirty stand of small arms. 

After the British troops obtained possession of Savannah, 
they progressed at leisure with the repairs of four old redoubts 
and the construction of some new works ; but the probability of 
an attack in force, rendered the greatest exertions necessary to 
complete their fortifications. Captain Moncrief, the chief of 
the engineers, an ofiicer of superior talents in his department, 
called on governor Wright to order three hundred negroes from 
the country, with such as were in town, to his assistance on the 
fortifications. Thirteen redoubts, and fifteen batteries, with 
lines of communication, were marked out, commenced, and 
completed, with an abatis in front, and mounted with seventy-six 
pieces of cannon ; of six, nine, twelve, and eighteen pounds 
calibre. The guns and batteries were manned by the seamen 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 429 

from the ships of war, transports, and merchant vessels, in the 
harbour. A number of field pieces were placed in reserve, on 
the most advantageous positions to traverse, or move speedily 
to any given point. And intrenchments were opened to cover 
the reserves. 

On the 4th of September orders were despatched to lieutenant- 
colonel Maitland at Beaufort, to hold his detachment in readi- 
ness to march to Savannah at short notice ; and as it was prob- 
able that part of the French frigates might go into Port-Royal 
bay and cut off the communication with Beaufort, Maitland 
was ordered to evacuate the post, and cross over to Tench's 
island, of which Hilton-head is a promontary ; from whence if 
he was not stopped by a further order, he was to proceed to 
Savannah. The officer who was charged with the despatch, was 
taken by a party of Americans, as he was passing through Scull 
creek. 

On the evening of the 4th the French fleet disappeared, which 
occasioned doubts with general Provost, as to its real object; 
consequently, the orders sent to Maitland were countermanded 
by another, directing him to remain at his post, in readiness 
to march at short notice, with his heavy baggage and other in- 
cumbrances embarked; and if through any other channel he 
should receive intelligence, which should in his judgment induce 
the measure, he was ordered to march immediately, without 
further orders, and to run no risk, which could possibly be 
avoided, of being cut off from Savannah. 

On the 6th, the French fleet re-appeared off the bar. Provost 
deemed it necessary to strengthen the works on Tybee island, 
and increase the number of men for their defence. Captain 
Moncrief was ordered to perform that duty, and with one hun- 
dred infantry re-enforce that post. Orders were forwarded to 
Alaitland, to march without loss of time. Finding the fleet in- 
creased to a formidable number. Provost assig-ned his alarm- 
posts, and made every disposition to sustain an attack. 

On the 9th the whole fleet anchored off Tybee island, and 
landed some troops on the south-east side of it, to attack the 



430 HISTOBY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

British post on the rear, and four light frigates passed over the 
bar. rinding the position on Tybee too hazardous to be main- 
tained, Moncrief spiked the guns, embarked the troops, and re- 
treated to Savannah. The ships Foway, Rose, Kepple, and 
Germain ; the Comet galley and some other small vessels, 
v^eighed anchor and stood up to Five-fathom-hole. 

After general Provost had retreated from South-Carolina, 
the command of the American cavalry had been confided to 
count Pulaski, who had taken post on the ridge, fifty miles 
north-east from Augusta, for the convenience of obtaining 
forage and provisions, and to be within easy march of Charles- 
ton or Augusta, as occasion might require. Pulaski was ordered 
to join general M'Intosh at Augusta, and M'Intosh was ordered 
to march with the infantry and cavalry, toward Savannah, in 
advance of the army under general Lincoln ; to attack the 
British out-posts, and open a communication with the French 
troops upon the sea shore. 

General M'Intosh pressed forward on Savannah, and before 
the enemy was apprized of his approach, Pulaski cut off one 
of their piquets ; killed and wounded five men, and captured 
a subaltern and five privates: he opened the communication to 
the sea shore, and general M'Intosh advanced toward Ogechee 
ferry. They had several skirmishes with the enemy's out-posts, 
before they joined the French troops at Beaulieu. 

So soon as a body of the French troops had landed, general 
M'Intosh returned, and halted at Milieu's plantation, three 
miles from Savannah, to wait the arrival of general Lincoln. 

On the 10th of September, lieutenant-colonel Cruger, with 
his detachment from Sunbury, reached Savannah. On the 11th, 
the British landed all the cannon from the armed vessels, except 
such as were deemed necessary to defend the channel, and 
mounted them on the batteries. The engineers were making 
every possible exertion to strengthen the works : twelve hundred 
white men and negroes, were constantly employed ; several new 
redoubts and batteries were constructed ; tlie moats deepened, 
and the abatis strengthened. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 431 

On the 12th, in the evening, some small French vessels passed 
the hars into Oseha and Warsaw sounds, and landed some troops 
at Beaulien and Thunderbolt, without opposition: the 13th, 
14th, and 15th were spent in landing troops, artillery, ammuni- 
tion, provisions, and intrenching tools: and on the 16th, count 
D'Estaing advanced within three miles of the town, and de- 
manded a surrender. 

''Count D'Estaing summons his excellency, general Provost, 
to surrender to the arms of the king of France. He apprizes 
him, that he will be personally responsible for all the events 
and misfortunes that may arise from a defence, which by the 
superiority of the force, which attacks him, both by sea and 
land, is rendered manifestly vain and of no effect. 

"He gives notice to him, also, that any resolutions he may 
venture to come to, either before the attack, in the course of it, 
or at the moment of the assault, of setting fire to the shipping 
and small craft belonging to the army, or the merchants in the 
river Savannah, as well as to all the magazines in the town, will 
be imputable to him only. 

''The situation of Hospital-hill, in the Grenadas, the strength 
of the three intrenchments and stone redoubts which defended 
it, and the comparative disposition of the troops before the 
town of Savannah, with the single detachment which carried 
the Grenadas by assault, should be a lesson to futurity. Hu- 
manity obliges the count D'Estaing to recall this event to his 
memory; having so done, he has nothing to reproach himself 
with. 

"Lord Macartney had the good fortune to escape from the 
first transport of troops, who entered a town sword in hand; 
but notwithstanding the most valuable effects were deposited in 
a place, supposed by all the officers and engineers to be impreg- 
nable, count D'Estaing could not have the happiness of prevent- 
ing their being pillaged. 

''Camp before Savannah, September 16, 1779, 

D'ESTAIN'G." 



432 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

MAJOR-GENERAL PROVOST^S ANSWER. 

"Savannah, September 16, 1779. 

"Sir — I am now honoured with your excellency's letter, of 
this date, containing a summon for me to surrender this town 
to the arms of his majesty the king of France, which I had just 
delayed to answer, till I had shown it to the king's civil gov- 
ernor. 

"I hope your excellency will have a better opinion of me, and 
of British troops, than to think either will surrender on general 
summons, without any specific terms. 

"If you. Sir, have any to propose, that may with honour be 

accepted of by me, you can mention them, both with regard to 

civil and military, and I will then give my answer : in the mean 

time I will promise upon my honour, that nothing with my 

knowledge or consent shall be destroyed in either this town or 

river. I have the honour to be, &c. 

A. PEOVOST." 

COUNT d'eSTAING TO GENERAL PROVOST. 

"Camp before Savannah, September 16, 1779. 

"Sir — I have just received your excellency's answer, to the 
letter I had the honour of writing to you this morning. You 
are sensible that it is the part of the besieged to propose such 
terms as they may desire, and you can not doubt of the satisfac- 
tion I shall have in consenting to those which I can accept con- 
sistently with my duty. 

"I am informed that you continue intrenching yourself, which 
is a matter of very little importance to me ; however, for form 
sake, I must desire you will desist during our conferences. 

"The different columns which I had ordered to stop will con- 
tinue their march, but without approaching your posts, . or 
reconnoitring your situation. I have the honour to be, &c. 

D'ESTAIJ^G." 

"P. S. I apprize your excellency that I have not been able 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 433 

to refuse the army of the United-States imitiiig itself with that 
of the king. The junction will probably be effected this day. 
If I have not an answer immediately, you must confer in future 
with general Lincoln and myself." 

GENERAL PROVOST TO COUNT d'eSTAING. 

"Savannah, September 16, 1779. 

"Sir — I am honoured with your excellency's letter in reply 
to mine of this day. 

"The business we have on hand being of importance, there 
being various interests to discuss, a just time is absolutely nec- 
essary to deliberate. I am therefore to propose, that a suspen- 
sion of hostilities shall take place for twenty-four hours from 
this date, and to request that your excellency will direct your 
columns to fall back to a greater distance, and out of sight of 
our works, or I shall think myself under a necessity to direct 
their being fired upon. If they did not reconnoitre any thing 
this afternoon, they were sure within the distance. I have the 
honour to be, &c. ' A. PROVOST." 

COUNT D^ESTAING TO GENERAL PROVOST. 

''Camp before Savannah, September 16, 1779. 

"Sir — I consent to the truce you ask: it shall continue till 
the signal for retreat to-morrow night the 17th, which will serve 
also to announce the re-commencement of hostilities. It is 
necessary to observe to your excellency, that this suspension of 
arms is entirely in your favour, since I cannot be certain that 
you will not make use of it to fortify yourself, at the same time, 
that the propositions you shall make may be inadmissible. 

"I must observe to you, also, how important it is that you 
should be fully aware of your own situation, as well as that 
of the troops under your command. Be assured that I am thor- 
oughly acquainted with it. Your knowledge of military affairs 
will not suffer you to be ignorant, that a due examination of 
that circumstance always precedes the march of the columns, 
28 



434 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

and that this preliminary is not carried into execution by a 
mere show of troops. 

"I have ordered them to withdraw before ni^ht comes on, 
to prevent any cause of complaint on your part. I understand 
that my civility in this respect has been the occasion that the 
Chevalier De Cambis, a lieutenant of the navy, has been made 
a prisoner of war. 

"I propose sending out some small advance posts to-morrow 
morning: they will place themselves in such a situation as to 
have in view the four entrances into the wood, in order to pre- 
vent a similar mistake in future. I do not know whether two 
columns commanded by the viscount De Noailles and the count 
De Dillon, have shewn too much ardour, or whether your can- 
noniers have not paid a proper respect to the truce, subsisting 
between us ; but this I know, that what has happened this night, 
is a proof that matters will soon come to a decision between us 
one way or another. I have the honour to be, &c. 

D'ESTAING." 

General Lincoln's army reached the Savannah river on the 
12th, but the difficulty in procuring boats took up two days in 
crossing the river and swamp, which were three miles wide. 
Having effected it at Zubley's ferry, on the morning of the 
15th, he marched to Cherokee hill, about eight miles above the 
town, where he was joined by general M'Intosh, with the Georgia 
continental troops, and by colonels John Twiggs and B. Few, 
with part of their regiments of militia. The next morning gen- 
eral Lincoln marched to Milieu's plantation, three miles from 
the town on the Ogechee road where he established his head- 
quarters, and proceeded directly to pay his respects to the count 
D'Estaing, and fix on the plan of future operations. The count 
suggested, that necessity had compelled him to offer the services 
of his king to the United-States at this unpropitious season of 
the year, where it would be unsafe to hazard the fleet long upon 
the coast, in consequence of the hurricanes with which it had 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 435 

usually been visited, and that these circumstances had rendered 
it necessary for him to lose no time in summoning the com- 
mander of the British troops in Savannah to surrender. 

The answer to this summon had not yet been received from 
general Provost, and the count expressed gratification that gen- 
eral Lincoln had arrived in time to unite with him in the terms 
of capitulation, in case the enemy should surrender, of which 
he entertained but little doubt. 

General Provost exercised great military judgment, in solic- 
iting twenty-four hours for consideration, because he calculated 
with great certainty that within that time, colonel Maitland 
would arrive with eight hundred troops from Beaufort. There 
is but little doubt, that on this event rested all his hopes of sav- 
ing the garrison. When the fleet first appeared off the coast, 
the enemy had but twenty-three pieces of cannon mounted upon 
the redoubts and batteries, to defend an extent by land and 
water of near three miles. It appears that the count D'Estaing 
was not well informed, as to the geography of the country, or 
he certainly would have ordered the frigates to take their sta- 
tions farther up the river, so as to have commanded the inland 
passage from Carolina and cut off the communication. If gen- 
eral Lincoln was acquainted with the advantages which the 
enemy could take of this circumstance, he probably thought it 
unnecessary to communicate it to the count, having sent him a 
number of pilots who were acquainted with the coast and inland 
communications ; consequently, thought any additional informa- 
tion unnecessary. 

On the evening of the 16th, colonel Maitland arrived at Daw- 
fuskie, and finding the passage up the river in possession of 
the French, he was obliged to resort to some other way of getting 
into the town. While he was embarrassed in this difficulty, for- 
tune threw into his hands some negro fishermen, who were well 
acquainted with all the creeks through the marsh, and informed 
him of a passage called W^all's cut, through Scull creek, by 
which small boats could pass at high water. The tide and a 



436 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

thick fog favoured the execution of his plans, and enabled him 
with great difficulty to get through: on the ensuing afternoon 
he reached the town, unperceived bv the French. The acquisi- 
tion of this formidable re-enforcement, headed by an experi- 
enced and brave officer, effected a complete change in the dis- 
pirited garrison. A signal was made and three cheers given, 
which rung from one end of the town to the other. In the after- 
noon the following letter was addressed by general Provost, to 
the count D'Estaing. 

"Savannah^ September 17, 1779. 
"SiK — In answer to the letter of your excellency, which I had 
the honour to receive about twelve last night, I am to acquaint 
you, that having laid the whole correspondence before the king's 
civil governor, and the military officers of rank, assembled in 
council of war, the unanimous determiuation has been, that 
though we cannot look upon our post as inexpugnable, yet that 
it may and ought to be defended: therefore the evening gun to 
be fired this evening, at an hour before sun down, shall be the 
signal for re-commencing hostilities, agreeably to your excel- 
lency's proposal. I have the honour to be, &c. 

A. PEOVOST." 

The assistance of the negroes, who had been collected from 
the country, contributed greatly to hasten the preparation for 
defence : those people having been accustomed to the use of the 
hoe and spade, in the cultivation of rice, and possessing consti- 
tutions adapted to the climate, were constantly employed, in the 
ditches. The soil was also favourable to the enemy, being com- 
l)osed entirely of light sand. 

The disappointment occasioned by a compliance with the 
propositions of Provost, and losing the golden opportunity by 
delay, was a source of severe mortification and chagrin to the 
combined army. The favourable moment for reducing the for- 
tress by assault, had been suffered to pass away unimproved, 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 437 

under the practice of deceptive pretexts. Though every exertion 
had been made to bring up the cannon and mortars from the 
sea coast, none had yet arrived, except some light pieces of field 
artillery. The British works, which had been commenced with 
great skill, were rapidly progressing to maturity, and there was 
no mean of retarding them, by offering the enemy any other 
employment. Some intelligent British officers, who were within 
the works, acknowledge that the French army alone, could have 
taken the town in ten minutes, without the assistance of artil- 
lery, or loss of much blood, if the assault had been made at the 
first moment. It appears that the necessary information was 
not given to the count D'Estaing, to afford him a correct knowl- 
edge of the country ; and it was therefore impossible for him 
to foresee the advantages he was giving to the enemy by delay, 
lie had no idea that there was any pass to Savannah by water, 
except the main river, which he considered as being secured by 
his light frigates, lying in the channel. 

All hopes of taking the town by assault, were extinguished, 
and the tedious operations attendant on regular approaches, were 
the only resort which promised success. This was what the 
enemy wished. The principal engineer had declared, that if the 
allied anny would once resort to the spade, he would pledge 
himself for the success of the defence. The French frigates 
moved up within gun shot of the town, and compelled the British 
armed vessels to take shelter under the battery. To prevent 
these frigates from coming so near as to aid the operations by 
land, the ships Rose, Savannah, and four transports, were sunk 
in a narrow part of the channel, three miles distant from the 
town. Some small crafts were also sunk above the town, and 
a boom stretched across the channel, to prevent the gallies which 
passed up the north river, round Hutchinson's island, from as- 
sailing them in that direction. One of the frigates and two 
gallies anchored near the wrecks ; but to no purpose, at so great 
a distance. The enemy's guns mounted upon batteries, forty 
feet above the surface of the water, soon compelled the frigate 
and gallies to retire. 



438 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

The regular approaches were continued from the south on the 
enemy's left, covered by batteries in the rear, upon which such 
heavy cannon and mortars were mounted, as had been brought 
up from the fleet. On the 20th, the besieged commenced sev- 
eral new batteries and destroyed the houses on the flanks. The 
sloop of war Germain, and the gallies Thunderer and Comet, 
were anchored above the town, to rake the flank and cover the 
boom. There was a range of barracks about three hundred yards 
distant from and fronting the town, upon the south side. One 
hundred yards in front of these barracks, the besiegers erected 
a battery, and mounted seven guns upon it. In the mean time, 
the besieged unroofed the barracks, filled them with sand, and 
converted them into a breast' work. On the 22nd, the allied 
army threw up a bank in front, and formed their encampment 
about one thousand yards from the works of the besieged. 

During the night of the 24th, both armies were hard at work. 
By the time the fog cleared off in the morning, the besiegers had 
carried their saps within three hundred yards of the enemy's 
abatis. About nine o'clock, major Graham with one hundred 
British troops, made a sortie, and for a few minutes had posses- 
sion of one of the saps. Two columns of the French advanced 
and attempted to gain Graham's rear, who did not retreat until 
the columns were drawn so far on as to be much exposed to the 
fire from the enemy's batteries, which played upon them with 
such effect, that they were compelled to retreat ; consequently, 
their loss was much greater than that of the British. The loss 
of the former was forty-eight killed and wounded, and of the 
latter twenty-one. The firing was continued the whole of the 
next day, to impede as much as possible the progress of each 
other. On the night of the 27th, major Archibald M' Arthur, 
with a detachment of the 71st regiment, made a sortie to attack 
the allies in some batteries which they were constructing to 
mount some heavy cannon : after commencing the attack briskly, 
he retired unperceived: the French attempted to gain his left 
flank, and the Americans his right. M'Arthur retired so sud- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 439 

denly and silently, that the right and left of the allies com- 
menced a brisk fire upon each other, and several lives were lost 
before the mistake was discovered. On the 28th, the French 
frigate La Truite, moved up and anchored in the north channel, 
from whence she threw several shot into the town, but the 
ground was so high, that it answered but little purpose at so 
great a distance. On the 29th, general M'Intosh solicited gen- 
eral Lincoln's permission to send a flag with a letter to general 
Provost, to obtain leave for Mrs. M'Intosh and his family, and 
such other females and children as might choose to leave the 
town during the siege, or until the contest should be decided. 
Major John Jones, aid to general M'Intosh, was the bearer of 
the flag and letter, and found Mrs. M'Intosh and family in a 
cellar, where they had been confined several days. Indeed those 
damp apartments furnished the only safe retreat, for females 
and children, during the siege. General Provost refused to 
grant the request, imagining that it would restrain the besiegers 
from throwing bombs and carcasses among the houses to set 
them on fire. 

On the night of the 1st of October, colonel John White with 
captains George Melvin, A. C. G. Elholm, a sergeant, and three 
privates, proceeded to reconnoitre the position of captain French, 
who had been cut off from Savannah, and fortified his camp 
on Ogechee river. Colonel White directed a number of fires to 
be lighted up in view of the camp, which gave an appearance 
that a large force was there, and summoned French to surrender ; 
which was agreed to: captain French and one hundred and 
eleven regular troops, with one hundred and thirty stand of 
small arms, and five vessels, with their crews, four of which 
were armed, were obtained by the stratagem. 

On the 2nd, the French frigate in the north river, and two 
American gallies, kept up a heavy cannonade upon the east end 
of the town, which compelled the enemy to throw up a new 
battery on their left, and strengthen their works on the south- 
east, to keep the sap in check ; supposing if there was an assault 



440 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

made, it would be from that quarter. The next night the com- 
bined force threw in a great number of ten inch shells, and the 
besieged fired a number of shot from an eighteen gun battery, 
erected on their left, near the barracks. At daylight on the 
morning of the 4th, the combined armies opened upon the be- 
sieged with nine mortars and thirty-seven pieces of cannon from 
the land, and sixteen cannon on the water, which was continued 
during the day ; but the effects were only felt by the people of 
the town. On the 6th, several carcasses were thrown into the 
town, one of which took effect and burned a house. About 
eleven o'clock, a parley was beaten, and the following letter was 
written by Provost to the commander of the French army : 

"Savannah, October 6, 1779. 

"Sir — I am persuaded your excellency will do me justice, and 
that, in defending this place and the army committed to my 
charge, I fulfill what is due to honour and duty to my prince. 
Sentiments of a different kind occasion the liberty of now ad- 
dressing myself to your excellency ; they are those of humanity. 
The houses of Savannah are occupied by women and children: 
several of them have applied to me, that I might request the 
favour you would allow them to embark on board a ship and 
go down the river, under the protection of yours, until this busi- 
ness is decided. If this requisition, you are so good as to grant, 
my wife and children, with a few servants, shall be the first to 
profit by the indulgence." 

The allied generals considered this as another pretext for 
gaining time, to answer some advantageous purpose. The ap- 
plication from general M'Intosh, was in substance, to the same 
effect. 

"Camp before Savannah, October 6, 1779. 

"Sir — ^We are persuaded that your excellency knows all that 
your duty prescribes; perhaps your zeal has already interfered 
with your judgment. The count D'Estaing in his ovra name, 
notified to you, that you would be personally and alone responsi- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 441 

ble for the consequences of your obstinacy. The time which 
you informed him, in the commencement of the siege, would be 
necessary for the arrangement of articles, including the different 
orders of men in your town, had no other object than that of 
receiving succour. Such conduct, Sir, is sufficient to forbid 
every intercourse between us, which might occasion the least 
loss of time ; besides, in the present application, latent reasons 
may exist: there are military ones which in frequent instances 
have prevented the indulgence you request. It is with regret 
we yield to the austerity of our functions, and we deplore the 
fate of those persons who will be the victims of your conduct, 
and the delusion which appears in your mind. We are, with 
respect, &c." 

Count D'Estaing having been a month on the American coast, 
and the fleet close in shore ; his naval officers remonstrated to 
him, the dangerous situation it was in, and the hazard of being 
attacked by the British fleet, while theirs was in bad condition, 
and while many of their officers and men were on shore. To 
these remonstrances were added, the commencement of an ex- 
trordinary portion of disease in the French camp, and the ap- 
proach of the hurricane season, usually so destructive on the 
southern sea coast of the United-States. These representations 
determined the count D'Estaing to call a council of war, in 
Avhich it was the opinion of the engineers, that it would require 
ten days more to work into the enemy's lines ; upon which it 
was determined to try to carry them by an assault. 

On the morning of the 8th, major L'Enfant, with five men, 
marched through a brisk fire from the British lines and set fire 
to the abatis, but the dampness of the air prevented the green 
wood from burning. 

On the same day, the following order was issued by general 
Lincoln : 

"Watch word — Lewis. 

"The soldiers will be immediately supplied with forty rounds 
of cartridges, a spare flint, and their arms in good order. 



442 IIISTOBY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

''The infantry destined for the attack of Savannah, will be 
divided into two bodies : the first composing the light troops, 
under the command of colonel Laurens : the second, of the conti- 
nental battalions and the first battalion of Charleston militia, 
except the grenadiers, who are to join the light troops. The 
whole will parade at one o'clock, near the left of the line, and 
march by the right, by platoons. 

''The guards of the camp will be formed by the invalids, and 
be charged to keep up the fires as usual in the camp. 

''The cavalry under the command of count Pulaski, will 
parade at the same time with the infantry, and follow the left 
column of the French troops, and precede the column of the 
American light troops : they will endeavour to penetrate the 
enemy's lines between the battery on the left of the Spring-hill 
redoubt, and the next toward the river. Having effected this, 
they will pass to the left toward Yamacraw, and secure such 
parties of the enemy as may be lodged in that quarter. 

"The artillery will parade at the same time ; follow the French 
artillery, and remain with the corps de reserve, until they re- 
ceive further orders. 

"The whole will be ready by the time appointed, with the 
utmost silence and punctuality, and be ready to march the in- 
stant count D'Estaing and general Lincoln shall order. 

"The light troops who are to follow the cavalry, will attempt 
to enter the redoubt on the left of the Spring-hill, by escalade 
if possible ; if not by entrance into it. They are to be supported, 
if necessary, by the first South-Carolina regiment : in the mean 
time, the column will proceed with the lines to the left of the 
Spring-hill battery. 

"The light troops having succeeded against the redoubt, will 
proceed to the left and attempt the several works between that 
and the river. 

"The column will move to the left of the French troops, taking 
care not to interfere with them. 

"The light troops having carried the works toward the river, 
will form on the left of the column. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 443 

"It is expressly forbid to fire a single gun before the redoubts 
are carried, or for an}'' soldier to quit his ranks to plunder, with- 
out an order for that purpose ; any who shall presume to trans- 
gress, in either of these respects, shall be reputed a disobeyor 
of military orders, which is punishable with death. 

"The militia of the first and second brigades, general Wil- 
liamson's and the first and second battalions of Charleston mili- 
tia, will parade immediately under the command of general 
Isaac Huger, after drafting five hundred of them ; the remainder 
will go into the trenches and put themselves under the command 
of the commanding-officer there. With the five hundred, he will 
march to the left of the enemy's lines and remain as near them 
as he possibly can, without being discovered, until four o'clock 
in the morning, at which time the troops in the trenches will 
begin the attack upon the enemy: he will then advance and 
make his attack as near the river as possible ; though this is only 
meant as a feint, yet should a favorable opportunity offer, he 
will improve it and push into the town. 

"In case of a repulse, after having taken the Spring hill re- 
doubt, the troops will retreat and rally in the rear of the re- 
doubt: if it cannot be effected that way, it must be attempted 
by the same route, at which they entered. 

"The second place of rallying, or the first if the redoubt should 
not be carried, will be at the Jews' burying ground, where the 
reserve will be placed : if these two halts should not be effectual, 
they will retire toward camp. 

"The troops will carry on their hats a piece of white paper, 
by which they will be distinguished." 

On the night of the 8th, a sergeant of the Charleston grena- 
diers deserted, and communicated to the British general the 
plan of attack and the time when it was to be made : being ap- 
prised that the Sj^ring-hill redoubt and batteries, was the point 
where the principal effort was to be sustained ; and that the 
menace on the left of the works, by Huger, was but a feint ; he 
made his dispositions accordingly. He removed the principal 



444 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

part of his force from the left of his works, to the right, near 
to the Spring-hill, and placed that part of the defences under 
the orders of lieutenant-colonel Maitland. 

Bj the general order, the assault was to be made at four 
o'clock in the morning ; but it being delayed until clear day-light, 
an opportunity was afforded to the garrison of directing their 
fire on the advancing columns of the assailants, with full effect, 
by which they suffered severely, before they reached the British 
works. The French columns passed the abatis, crowded into 
the moat, and ascended to the berm, under a galling fire in front 
and flank: the carnage was great, without their being able to 
make any useful impression. Lieutenant-colonel Laurens, with 
the light troops, advanced by the left of the French column, and 
attacked Maitland's redoubt, commanded by captain Taws, and 
succeeded in gaining the parapet, where lieutenants Hume and 
Bush set the colours of the second regiment of South-Carolina: 
those gallant officers both fell; and lieutenant Gray supported 
the colours, and was mortally wounded ; sergeant Jasper seeing 
that Gray had fallen, seized the colours, and supported them 
until he received a wound, which proved mortal : here the as- 
sault was lively and determined, and the resistance steady and 
resolute: general M'Intosh, at the head of the left column of 
the American troops, had passed the abatis and entered the ditch 
of the works, north of the Maitland redoubt. Count D'Estaing 
received a wound in the arm, early in the assault ; and at this 
point of time received a wound in the thigh, which made it 
necessary to bear him off the field. Count Pulaski attempted 
to pass the works into the town, and received a small cannon 
shot in the groin, of which he fell near the abatis. Huger had 
waded half a mile through a rice field, and made the attack as- 
signed to him, at the time mentioned. He was received with 
music, and a warm fire of cannon and musketry; and after 
having lost twenty-eight men, and accomplished the intended 
object of his orders, retreated. When the head of the American 
left had advanced to the moat; further impressions appeared 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1119. 445 

doubtful, if not impracticable ; the commanding generals or- 
dered a retreat: major Glasier of the 60th regiment, with the 
British grenadiers and marines of reserve, had been ordered to 
support the points assailed: Glasier made a sortie at the moment 
the order for retreat was given, and charged the American col- 
umn under M'Intosh, in flank, and pursued that and the other 
troops in succession to the abatis, and the assailants retreated 
in disorder. The attack was made and supported with spirit 
and patient bravery, and the defence made with confidence and 
courage. The fire from the seamen's batteries, and the field 
artillery, traversed the assailants in all directions ; in the ad- 
vance, attack, and retreat ; and the consequent slaughter of the 
combined troops was great. 

On the retreat, it was recollected by his corps, that count 
Pulaski had been left near to the abatis : some of his men dis- 
played great courage and personal attachment, in returning 
through the firing, though covered by the smoke, to the place 
where he lay wounded, and bore him off. 

The combined army sustained a loss of six hundred and 
thirty-seven French, and four hundred and fifty-seven conti- 
nental troops and militia, in killed and wounded; among the 
latter was the count D'Estaing, major-general De Fontanges, 
the chevalier D'Ernonville,* the count Pulaski, and many other 
ofiicers of distinction. The British loss, during the assault, was 
only fifty-five killed and wounded. Their loss during the siege 
is not known. 

The combined force, employed against Savannah, appears to 
have been as follows : — 

* D'Ernonville was taken prisoner: his arm was broken by a ball; and 
if he would have submitted to an amputation, would probably have sur- 
vived: when urged to the measure by general Provost, he refused; alleging, 
that with but one hand, he could not serve his prince in the field; and if 
so disabled, life was not worth preserving. He died on the 2oth of Decem- 
ber, and was buried with the honors of war: his funeral was attended by 
generals Provost and Leslie, and almost all the British officers in Savannah. 
He was from Louisiana, where many of his respectable relations now reside. 



446 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

French troops, 2,823 
Continental troops, including the 5th regiment of South- 
Carolina infantry, " 1,003 
Hayward's artillery, 65 
Charleston volunteers and militia, 365 
General Williamson's brigade, 212 
Twigg's and Few's regiments, Georgia militia, 232 
Pulaski's dragoons, 250 



Total, 4,950 

The British force consisted of two thousand eight hundred 
and fifty men, including one hundred and fifty militia, some 
Indians, and three hundred armed slaves."* 

At ten o'clock a truce was desired by the combined army, for 
the purpose of burying the dead and removing the wounded. 
The truce was granted for four hours, but the indulgence of 
burial and removal, was only extended to those who lay at a 
distance from the British lines: such as were within, or near 
the abatis, were buried by the British. Two hundred and thirty 
dead bodies, and one hundred and sixteen wounded, were de- 
livered up, on giving a receipt for the latter, to be accounted 
for as prisoners of war. 

About one thousand shells, and twenty carcasses, were thrown 
into the town during the siege : three or four houses were burned 
by the latter. When the French fleet first appeared off Savan- 
nah, the British had but twenty-three pieces of cannon mounted 
on the works in the town : on the day of the assault there were 
one hundred and eighteen pieces. 

A number of Georgia officers who had no command, and other 
private gentlemen, formed a volunteer corps under colonel Leon- 
ard Marbury, consisting of about thirty: of this number, four 

* To quell the consequences, which were likely to result from this im- 
politic union in arms, required the shedding of much of their blood. Policy 
forbids a narrative of the circumstances. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 44T 

were killed, and seven wounded, Charles Price, of Sunbiiry, a 
young attorney of promising talents, and lieutenant Bailie, 
were among the slain. Majors Pierce Butler, and John Jones, 
were the aids of brigadier-general M'Intosh. Butler had been 
a major in the British army, of considerable promise and tal- 
ents, but in the first j)art of the contest, resigned his commis- 
sion and became a zealous advocate for the American cause. 
Major Jones was killed by a four pound shot, near the Spring- 
hill battery. Among the wounded was lieutenant Edward 
Lloyd, whose arm had been carried away by a cannon ball. 
While a surgeon was employed in dressing the remaining stump 
of this promising young officer's arm ; major James Jackson 
observed to him, that his prospect was unpromising, from the 
heavy burden which hard fate had imposed upon him, as a 
young man who was just entering into life. Lloyd observed in 
reply, that unpromising as it was, he would not willingly ex- 
change it for the feelings of lieutenant Stedman, who had fled 
at the commencement of the assault. 

The conduct of sergeant Jasper, merits particular notice in 
the history of Georgia, and his name is entitled to a page in 
the history of fame, while many others, high in rank, might 
justly be forgotten. He was a man of strong mind, but as it 
had not been cultivated by education, he modestly declined the 
acceptance of a commission, which was offered to him. At the 
commencement of the war, he enlisted in the second South- 
Carolina regiment of infantry, commanded by colonel Moultrie. 
He distinguished himself in a particular manner, at the attack 
which was made upon fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's island, on the 
28th of June 1776. In the warmest part of that contest, the 
flag-staff was severed by a cannon ball, and the flag fell to the 
bottom of the ditch on the outside of the works. This accident 
was considered by the anxious inhabitants in Charleston, as put- 
ting an end to the contest by striking the American flag to the 
enemy. The moment Jasper made the discovery that the flag 
had fallen, he jumped from one of the embrasures, and mounted 



448 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

the colours which he tied to a spunge staff, and re-planted them 
on the parapet, where he supported them until another flagstaff 
was procured. The subsequent activity and enterprise of this 
patriot, induced colonel Moultrie to give him a sort of roving 
commission, to go and come at pleasure, confident that he was 
always usefully employed. He was privileged to select such 
men from the regiment as he should choose to accompany him 
in his enterprises. His parties consisted generally of five or 
six, and he often returned with prisoners before Moultrie was 
apprised of his absence. Jasper was distinguished for his hu- 
mane treatment, when an enemy fell into his power. His am- 
bition appears to have been limited to the characteristics of 
bravery, humanity, and usefulness to the cause in which he was 
engaged. When it was in his power to kill, but not to capture, 
it was his practice to permit a single enemy to escape. By his 
cunning and enterprise, he often succeeded in the capture of 
those who were lying in ambush for him. He entered the 
British lines, and remained several days in Savannah, in dis- 
guise, and after informing himself of their strength and inten- 
tions, returned to the American camp with useful information 
to his commanding-officer. In one of these excursions, an in- 
stance of the bravery and humanity is recorded by the biogra- 
pher of general Marion, which would stagger credulity if it was 
not well attested. While he was examining the British camp 
at Ebenezer, all the sympathy of his heart was awakened by 
the distresses of a Mrs. Jones, whose husband, an American by 
birth, who had taken the king's protection, and was confined in 
irons for deserting the royal cause, after he had taken the oath 
of allegiance. Her well founded belief, was, that nothing short 
of the life of her husband would atone for the offence with which 
he was charged. Anticipating the awful scene of a beloved hus- 
band expiring upon the gibbet, had excited inexpressible emo- 
tions of grief and distraction. 

Jasper secretly consulted with his companion, sergeant New- 
ton, whose feelings for the distressed female and her child were 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 449 

equally excited with his own, upon the practicability of releas- 
ing Jones from his impending fate. Though they were unable 
to suggest a plan of operation, they were determined to watch 
for the most favourable opportunity and make the effort. The 
departure of Jones, and several others (all in irons,) to Savan- 
nah, for trial, under a guard consisting of a sergeant, corporal, 
and eight men, was ordered upon the succeeding morning. 
Within two miles of Savannah, about thirty yards from the 
main road, is a spring of fine water, surrounded by a deep and 
thick underwood, where travellers often halt to refresh them- 
selves with a cool draught from this pure fountain. Jasper and 
his companion considered this spot as the most favourable for 
their enterprise. They accordingly passed the guard and con- 
cealed themselves near the spring. When the enemy came up 
they halted, aud only two of the guard remained with the pris- 
oners, while the others leaned their guns against trees in a care- 
less manner and went to the spring. Jasper and N^ewton sprung 
from their place of concealment, seized two of the muskets, and 
shot the sentinels. The possession of all the arms placed the 
enemy in their power, and compelled them to surrender. The 
irons were taken off, and arms put into the hands of those who 
had been prisoners, and the whole party arrived at Purysburgh 
the next morning and joined the American camp. There are 
but few instances upon record, where personal exertions, even 
for self preservation from certain prospects of death, would have 
induced resort to an act so desperate of execution ; how much 
more laudable was this, where the spring to action was roused 
by the lamentations of a female unknown to the adventurers. 

Subsequent to the gallant defence at Sullivan's island, colonel 
Moultrie's regiment was presented with a stand of colours by 
jV[]-s. Elliot, which she had richly embroidered with her own 
hands, and as a reward for Jasper's particular merits, governor 
Rutledge presented him with a very handsome sword. During 
the assault against Savannah, two officers had been killed, and 
one wounded, endeavouring to plant these colours upon the ene- 
29 



450 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

mies parajDet of the Spring-hill redoubt. Just before the retreat 
was ordered, Jasper attempted to replace them upon the works, 
and while he was in the act received a mortal wound and fell 
into the ditch. When a retreat was ordered, he recollected the 
honourable conditions upon which the donor presented the 
colours to his regiment, and among the last acts of his life suc- 
ceeded in bringing them off. Major Horry called to see him, 
soon after the retreat, to whom it is said he made the following 
communication: "I have got my furlough. That sword was 
presented to me by governor Ifutledge, for my services in the 
defence of fort Moultrie, give it to my father and tell him I have 
worn it with honour. If he should weep, tell him his son died 
in the hope of a better life. Tell Mrs. Elliot, that I lost my 
life supporting the colours which she presented to our regiment. 
If you should ever see Jones, his wife, and son, tell them that 
Jasper is gone, but that the remembrance of the battle which 
he fought for them, brought a secret joy to his heart, when it 
was about to stop its motion forever." He expired a few 
minutes after closing this sentence. Commemorative of the 
gallant deeds of this brave man, his name has been given to one 
of the counties composing this state. 

Count Pulaski was a native of Poland, and of noble birth : he 
liv^ed in the reign of the pusillanimous prince Stanislaus, who 
had been raised to the throne by the influence of the empress of 
Russia, whose incendiaries scattered corruption and discord 
among the nobles, to accomplish that purpose and to prepare 
the way for the destruction of the kingdom. Prussia and 
Austria were abettors in that work of iniquity. A number of 
patriotic nobles, indignant of innovation on the elective fran- 
chise, subversive of the ancient order of the republic, disallowed 
the legality of the election of Stanislaus to the throne ; perceiv- 
ing that the doctrines of the Russian ambassador were the rules 
of action of the king, whose measures portended the destruc- 
tion of the government, they associated under the denomination 
of confederates, to rescue their country from foreign influence. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 451 

and the consequent evils, by force of arms. Pulaski was one 
of the confederates ; and for his high rank and military enter- 
prise, they elected him their general. 

The force and resources of the confederates, were unequal 
to their objects. Pulaski applied to France for assistance, and 
was secretly encouraged and supplied with money. A number 
of French officers engaged as volunteers in his service ; who 
having introduced discipline among the confederate ranks, they 
acted with more vigour than formerly, and sometimes over- 
threw their adversaries; but such successes were transitory, 
and ruin followed. 

The confederates determined to seize on the person of the 
king: a party selected for that purpose, attacked and wounded 
him in the streets of Warsaw, and bore him off ; but the guard 
deserted and suffered him to escape to his palace. 

As Stanislaus was elected by the intrigues of Russia, troops 
of that power were stationed in Poland to support his authority ; 
and as those were insufficient to check the power of the con- 
federates, others were advanced to their assistance. Prussia 
and Austria sent troops into Poland for the same purpose, 
under the plausible pretext of aiding Stanislaus in the recovery 
of his rights; but their object was in common with Eussia, to 
partake in the division of the spoil. They stripped him of his 
territories, which he conceded as for services, until he had but 
a scanty fragment of country left for himself to govern. The 
confederates sued for peace and pardon ; Pulaski and others of 
the confederate chiefs fled to France, 

Liberty and independence, the favourite genii of Pulaski, 
were banished from his native country and had winged their 
way to the western shores of the Atlantic ocean; where he 
learned men were conflicting with tyranny determined to be 
free: there was no counterpoise in the balance; having been 
unsuccessful in his efforts to re-establish the independence of 
Poland, he resolved to lend his aid to the people of the United- 
States, who were engaged in his favourite pursuit; a war for 
self government, /. 



452 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

The pursuits and fortunes of Pulaski were made known to 
the American ministers, then at Paris, by the French court ; by 
the influence of which, the ministers gave him a recommenda- 
tion to congress, who appointed him a brigadier-general of 
cavalry in their service. The remainder of Pulaski's life was 
devoted to the service of the United States ; and it may be truly 
said, that on all occasions where he had an opportunity to act, 
''he sought the post of danger as the post of honour;" appa- 
rently regardless of danger, he sought every opportunity of 
being engaged with the enemy, and was always foremost in the 
day of battle. 

After receiving the wound, in the attack on Savannah, the 
vessel in which he was intended to be conveyed to Charleston 
having a long passage, he died at sea and his body was launched 
and sunk beneath the waves: the funeral rites were performed 
in Charleston with military honours. The death of that gal- 
lant officer was greatly lamented by all the Americans and 
French, who had witnessed his valour or knew how to appre- 
ciate his merits. 

On the 25th of October, lieutenant-colonel Maitland of the 
71st British regiment of Scots, and member of the house of 
commons, died at Savannah. He had long been in the habit 
of indulging himself freely with his glass; but during the 
siege he found it necessary to restrain a propensity which had 
become constitutionally necessary for the preservation of his 
health. After the siege was raised, and the combined forces 
retired, he returned to his former habits and gratified them to 
such an extent as to produce convulsions, of which he died 
suddenly. 

The following is believed to be a correct list of the French 
fleet, and detachments of different corps of land troops, which 
they had at Savannah: 

Ships. Guns. Ships. Guns. 

Languedock, 90 Recole, 64 

Tonant, 80 Reflechi, 64 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 



453 



Ships. 


Guns. 


Ships. 


Guns. 


Eobuste, 


14: 


Provence, 


64 


Cesar, 


74 


Fiere, 


50 


Magnifique, 


74 


Sagittaire, 


50 


Triumphe, 


74 


Amazon, 


36 


Marseilles, 


74 


Fortune, 


36 


Annible, 


74 


Iphegenie, 


36 


Fendante, 


74 


Bondeuse, 


32 


Dauphin e Roy ale, 


74 


Blanche, 


32 


Zele, 


74 


Ellis, 


26 


Vengeur, 


74 


Chimere, 


26 


Hector, 


74 


Lively, 


20 


Arlisian, 


64 


Ceres, 


18 


Va ill ant. 


64 


Fleur de la Mer, 


16 


Sphinx, 


64 


Alert, 


12 


Fantasque, 


64 


Barrington, 


8 



Four other small schooners, names unknown. 

The land troops were drafted from the regiments of Armag- 
nac, Champagne, Auxerrois, Agenois, Gatinois, Cambresses, 
Playnault, Foix, Dillon, Walsh, Le Cap, La Guadaloupe, La 
Martinique, and Port-au-Prince, royal artillery, infantry, ma- 
rines, volunteers of Volbille and Cape Francois, and part of a 
mulatto regiment from St. Domingo. 

British vessels captured by the French fleet, while they lay 
off Savannah. 

Ship Experiment of 50 guns, with general Garth and thirty 
thousand pounds sterling in specie on board ; ship Aeriel of 20 
guns ; Myrtle, victualler ; Champion, store-ship ; ship Fame ; 
and ship Victory, with a valuable cargo ; several small sloops 
and schooners, coasting vessels, laden with rice and flour. Two 
privateer sloops of 10 guns each, and three schooners, were 
taken by colonel White in Ogechee river. 

General Lincoln urged, that count D'Estaing would agree to 
continue the siege of Savannah ; but the reasons which the count 



454 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

gave for proposing the assault, still obtained: it was further 
urged, that the troops of France were reduced by the conse- 
quences of the siege, in killed, wounded, and disease, which 
was increasing; to less than fifteen hundred men fit for duty, 
on the 18th of October; and that the American troops under 
general Lincoln, did not exceed twelve hundred effectives. In 
addition, there were good reasons for a belief, that the British 
fleet at I^ew-York, with an army on board, was preparing for 
a southern expedition; and in the present sickly condition of 
the crews of the fleet, and the reduced force of the combined 
troops, who were not more than equal to the besieged, it would 
be highly imprudent to remain and risk the consequences. The 
count notified to general Lincoln, his determination to raise 
the siege. 

The removal of the heavy ordnance being accomplished, both 
armies moved from their ground on the 18th of October, in the 
evening. The French troops marched only two miles, and en- 
camped for the ensuing day, in order to deter the garrison from 
pursuing Lincoln until he had time to reach Zubley's ferry; 
which being accomplished, the French troops embarked at 
Causton's bluff, and repaired on board of their ships at Tybee, 
on the 20th. The wind was adverse until the 1st of November, 
when the frigates passed the bar: on the 2nd, the fleet sailed 
from the coast of Georgia, and immediately thereafter they 
encountered a violent gale of wind, which dispersed the fleet ; 
and though the count had ordered seven ships of the line to 
repair to Hampton roads, in Virginia, the marquis De Vaudre- 
ville was the only oflicer who was able to execute the order. 

In general Lincoln's letter to congress, he says "Count 
D'Estaing has undoubtedly the interest of America much at 
heart. This he has evidenced by coming over to our assistance ; 
by his constant attention during the siege ; his undertaking to 
reduce the enemy by assault, when he despaired of effecting it 
otherwise ; and by bravely putting himself at the head of his 
troops and leading them to the attack. In our service he has 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 455 

freely bled. I feel much for him; for while he is suffering 
the distresses of painful wounds on a boisterous ocean, he has 
to combat chagrin. I hope he will be consoled by an assurance, 
that although he has not succeeded according to his wishes, 
and those of America; we regard with high approbation his 
intentions to serve us, and that his want of success will not les- 
sen our ideas of his merit.* 

General Lincoln retreated to Ebenezer, and on the 19th of 
October he left the army for Charleston, with orders to march 
to that place. 

There was great dissatisfaction expressed by the citizens of 
Georgia, at the determination of D'Estaing to raise the siege: 
many of them had been under British protection, and having 
resumed their arms in opposition to the royal government, they 
were apprehensive of the consequences if they again fell into 
their hands. ^N^otwithstanding these murmurs, general Lin- 
coln by prudent management, suj)pressed the expressions of dis- 
content, and the allied forces separated with mutual expres- 
sions of esteem and affection. 

* After the war was ended ; the state of Georgia, in general assembly, 
passed the following law: "And whereas, the general assembly of this 
state, resolved that grants of twenty thousand acres of land should issue 
to the vice-admiral, the count D'Estaing, in testimony of their respect for 
his meritorious services. Be it therefore enacted, That the vice-admiral, 
the count D'Estaing be, and he is hereby empowered and qualified, to 
receive and hold the grants of land aforesaid, and he is hereby admitted to 
all the privileges, liberties, and immunities of a free citizen of this state, 
agreeably to the constitution." 



CHAPTER X. 

AFTER the allied armies had retired from Georgia, the 
sufferings of the families of those who adhered to the 
American cause, were extreme: they had been accus- 
tomed to ease and comfort, and many of them to affluence. 
This regards the families of those who had been under British 
protection: the families of such as had steadily adhered to the 
cause of their country, were already stripped of their property 
by their plundering enemies and generally removed for the 
want of subsistence. Before they could be removed to a place 
of security, plundering banditti, under the denomination of 
loyalists, were let loose to pillage them of all that was moveable ; 
such as negroes, stock, and furniture of every description ; even 
clothing about their persons, their ear and finger rings, and 
breast pins, were deemed good prizes, and taken off by these 
free-booters : children were beaten with severity, to extort from 
them a discovery of the secret deposits of valuable property. 
The condition of the people of Georgia, was abundantly worse 
after the unsuccessful enterprise against Savannah, than it was 
before the French landed. The militia who had been under 
protection of the British, not allowing themselves to doubt of 
the success of the allied forces, cheerfully participated in a 
measure which promised the recovery of the state to the union. 
Future protection was not to be expected, and nothing remained 
for them but the halter and confiscation from the British, or 
exile for themselves, and poverty and ill-treatment, by an inso- 
lent enemy, for their wives and children who were ordered 
forthwith to depart the country without the means for travel- 
ling, or any other means, but a reliance on charity for subsist- 
ence on their way. 

The obscene language which was used, and personal insults 
which were offered to the tender sex, soon rendered a resi- 
dence in the country insupportable. Having neither fijnds nor 
means of conveyance for themselves and children, they were 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1119. 457 

obliged to abandon the country, under the most deplorable cir- 
cumstances, and seek a dependent residence in the adjoining 
states, at the most inclement season of the year. Numbers, 
whose former condition enabled them to make their neighbour- 
ing visits in carriages, were obliged to travel on foot ; many of 
them without shoes, through muddy roads and deep swamps. 
If some charitable person furnished a lean pony, they would 
probably travel but a few miles before it was taken from them. 
The families of general M'Intosh, colonel John Twiggs, and 
colonel Elijah Clarke, with many others of respectability, expe- 
rienced distresses of which this is but a faint representation. 
Though colonel Twiggs' family was removed under the protec- 
tion of a flag, they were fired upon by the enemy, and a young 
man who accompanied them was killed ; the colonel, himself, 
narrowly escaped by flight. General M'Intosh's family was 
reduced from affluence to extreme poverty. Such were the 
necessities of his lady, when she reached Virginia with her 
children, that she was obliged to apply to governor Jefferson to 
relieve her from want. He furnished her with ten thousand 
dollars, which sounds like a large sum ; but so great was the de- 
preciation, and so much had clothing risen above their former 
prices, that it required seven hundred dollars to purchase a 
pair of shoes. Colonel Clarke's house was pillaged and burned, 
and his family ordered to leave the state. Mrs. Clarke and 
her two daughters set out for the north, without any other 
means of conveyance than a pony of little value. They had 
proceeded but a short distance before the horse was taken from 
them, and they were left in the road to travel through an 
enemy's country, thinly inhabited, without any means of con- 
veyance or subsistence. Among the ordinary incidents of hu- 
man life, but few occurrences justify the killing of a fellow- 
creature ; but when the delicacy of the tender sex is assailed, 
and barbarity practised toward them, the mind of the most 
humane is filled with a species of revenge, which is not easily 
resisted. Those who had practised such cruelties, were not 



458 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

spared when the fortunes of war threw them into the hands of 
their adversaries. Retaliation on both sides, became the order 
of the day ; and the war for freedom and independence, be- 
came a war of extermination. For the honour of the civilized 
world, the author would willingly throw a veil over these trans- 
actions ; but a disclosure of facts, is a duty particularly imposed 
upon a historian. 

After the metropolis of the state had fallen into the hands 
of the enemy, the legislature had dispersed without appointing 
a governor for the succeeding year. John Werreat, esquire, 
president of the executive council, continued the operation of 
the functions of government ; and on the 4th of November 
issued a proclamation at Augusta, representing that several at- 
tempts to convene the legislature had failed, owing to the dis- 
tracted state of the country ; and required that a general election 
should be held on the second Tuesday in the same month, in 
conformity with the powers vested in him by the constitution, 
and that the members so elected, should convene at Augusta 
without delay. After the siege of Savannah was raised, a num- 
ber of the leading characters from the south-eastern division of 
the state, who persisted in adherence to the cause of independ- 
ence ; retreated to Augusta, and with others from the western 
division, formed themselves into a body, under the denomina- 
tion of the general assembly. It is believed that all the mem- 
bers that constituted this body, were elected in the county of 
Richmond. This unconstitutional measure was probably re- 
sorted to, under the apprehension that the British would march 
in force to Augusta and take possession of it, before the time 
of meeting authorized by the constitution. The house of as- 
sembly being formed, William Glascock, esquire, was chosen 
speaker ; and George Walton, esquire, governor of the state. 

The assembly continued in session until the 4th of January 
1780, when Richard Howley was appointed governor. Ed- 
ward Telfair, George Walton, Benjamin Andrew, Lyman Hall, 
and William Few, esquires, were appointed members of con- 



HISTORY OF GEOBGIA. 1779. 459 

gress; William Stephens, chief justice; John Milledge, attor- 
ney-general ; colonel John Stirk and captain Hardy, treasurers ; 
Edward Jones, secretary of state ; and Joseph Clay, paymaster- 
general. 

It has been remarked, at an early jieriod of the war, that 
discord and jealousy had been excited and fostered between the 
civil and military departments of Georgia. The distressing- 
effects likely to grow out of this controversy, had induced the 
members of congress from this state, to request general Wash- 
ington to order general M'Intosh to the head-quarters of the 
grand army, at Valley Forge, where he remained about six 
months. Application had been made by congress, to the 
commander-in-chief, for a general officer to take the command 
of the army, north of the Alleghany mountains. In addition 
to the qualifications necessary to constitute the general, a knowl- 
edge of the Indian character was to be combined, in the officer 
selected for this command. Though the party divisions and 
other difficulties, which had occasioned the removal of general 
M'Intosh from Georgia, had not yet subsided, he was not les- 
sened in the estimation of the commander-in-chief, and was 
named as the most proper officer for that service. The follow- 
ing is an extract of a letter, written by general Washington to 
the secretary^ of war, dated 12th of May, 1778. "After much 
consideration upon the subject, I have appointed general 
M'Intosh to command at fort Pitt and in the western country, 
for which he will set out as soon as he can arrange his affairs. 
I part with this gentleman with much reluctance, as I esteem 
him an officer of great worth and merit, and as I know his serv- 
ices have, and will be materially wanted. His firm disposi- 
tion and equal justice, his assiduity and good understanding, 
added to his being a stranger to all parties in that quarter, 
pointed him out as a proper person ; and I trust extensive ad- 
vantages will be derived from his command, which I could 
wish was more agreeable for his sake. He will wait upon con- 
gress for their instructions." While general M'Intosh was at 



4fJ0 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1779. 

Pittsburg, he received regular advices of the progress of affairs 
in Georgia, and after the defeat of general Howe, and the sub- 
sequent disasters of the American arms in that quarter, he 
became assiduous in his solicitations for permission to return to 
his own state. In April, 1779, the commander-in-chief ordered 
him to the head-quarters of the main army, at Middlebrook, 
and from thence to the seat of government for further or- 
ders. The following is an extract of a letter, written by the 
commander-in-chief to the secretary of war, dated May 11, 
1779. "Brigadier-general M'Intosh will have the honour of 
delivering you this. The war in Georgia, being the state to 
which he belongs, makes him desirous of serving in the south- 
ern army. I know not whether the arrangements congress have 
in contemplation, may make it convenient to employ him there : 
but I take the liberty to recommend him as a gentleman whose 
knowledge of service and of the country, promises to make him 
useful. I beg leave to add, that general M'Intosh's conduct, 
while he acted immediately under my observation, was such as 
to acquire my esteem and confidence, and I have had no reason 
since to alter my good opinion of him." In a letter from the 
commander-in-chief to general M'Intosh, he says, "I am in- 
formed that great abuses are practised in the southern states, 
in the hospital departments : you will consider it a part of your 
duty to correct this evil, as well as every other which may tend 
to the extravagant waste of public property." General M'In- 
tosh found in many instances, the surgeons-mates indulging 
their palates with fine mutton and Madeira wine, while the poor 
sick soldiers were languishing in want. 

The intestine divisions in the state of Georgia, increased 
rather than diminished after general M'Intosh left it, and no 
doubt they had a great share in its fall. In a letter of colonel 
Walton's to general M'Intosh, he says, "The Daemon Discord 
yet presides in this country, and God only knows when his reign 
will be at an end. I have strove so hard to do good, with so 
poor a return, that were the liberties of America secure, I 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 461 

would bid adieu to all public employment, to politics, and to 
strife ; for even virtue itself will meet with enmity." A 
party in Savannah had formed themselves into a society under 
the popular denomination of the Liberty Club, and under its 
jurisdiction were several branches in the different counties, pre- 
tending that their objects were to support the civil authority 
and prevent any infringements on it by the military. Under 
this plausible pretext, the party became so numerous as to 
have the entire control over public appointments. It is worthy 
of remark, that governor Truitlen and the six members of the 
executive council, who voted for the measures of this party, 
against general M'Intosh, all took protection afterward under 
the British government, except John Lindsay. 

General M'Intosh returned to South-Carolina in June, and 
in July general Lincoln ordered him to Augusta to take the 
command of the Georgia troops, and to hold himself in readi- 
ness to march at short notice, whenever the French fleet should 
be ready to form a junction at Savannah. M'Intosh took an 
active share in the siege, and commanded the left wing under 
general Lincoln, when the assault was made on the morning of 
the 9th of October. After the siege was raised, he retreated 
with general Lincoln into South-Carolina, and was afterward 
taken prisoner in Charleston when it fell into the hands of the 
British. 

During the session of the assembly at Augusta, which has 
been noticed, a letter was forged and transmitted to the presi- 
dent of congress, dated November 30, 1779, and signed "Wil- 
liam Glascock, speaker." An extract of this letter was trans- 
mitted to general M'Intosh, and by him to Mr. Glascock, re- 
quiring an explanation of its contents : to which the following 
answer was written to the president of congress, and a certified 
copy of it enclosed to M'Intosh, dated at Augusta, 12th of 
May, 1780. 

"Sir — I am now to do myself the honour of addressing your 
excellency, on a subject of considerable importance to myself 



462 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

and to a gentleman, whose character, both as a citizen and an 
officer, I esteem and honour. Indeed I take up the affair on a 
longer scale : I may say it is also of importance to this state 
and to the whole confederal alliance, as it strikes at the very 
root of reciprocal confidence, and opens a road to misrepresenta- 
tion, detraction, and malice, which cannot be guarded against 
but with the utmost circumspection, and which, if not checked, 
might be productive of the most serious consequences to these 
states either in a civil or military sense. Brigadier-general 
M'Intosh informs me, that he lately received a letter from your 
excellency, enclosing the following extract of a letter to con- 
gress from me, as speaker of the assembly of the state of 
Georgia. 

"It is to be wished that we could advise congress, that the 
return of brigadier-general M'Intosh, gave satisfaction to either 
the militia or confederates ; but the common dissatisfaction is 
such, and that founded on weighty reasons. It is highly neces- 
sary that congress would, whilst that officer is in the service of 
the United-States, direct some distant field for the exercise of 
his abilities." 

"I am sorry sir, to be informed by this extract, of the ex- 
treme malice and rancour of general M'Intosh's enemies ; but 
at the same time enjoy a peculiar happiness, in having it in 
my power to defeat their nefarious machinations and inten- 
tions. I do hereby most solemnly declare to congress, that the 
above extract is a flagrant forgery, of which I disclaim all 
knowledge whatever, either directly or indirectly ; neither did I 
ever subscribe in a public or private capacity, any letter or 
paper that could convey to congress such an idea of that officer, 
with respect to his country, which he has in my opinion served 
with reputation, and from which he ought to receive the grateful 
acknowledgements of public approbation, instead of the mali- 
cious insinuations of public slander, in which class I am under 
the necessity of ranking the forged letter, which is the subject 
of this. I am glad of the opportunity of informing congress. 



HISTORY OF GEOBGIA, 1780. 463 

that so far is that forgery from truth, that I believe there is not 
a respectable citizen or officer iu Georgia, who would not be 
happy in serving under general M'Intosh, nor one in either 
class who would be otherwise, except a few who are governed 
by design or self interest." This letter was signed by William 
Glascock, and certified by major Peter Deveaux, who was one of 
the executive council. 

The proceedings of the legislature of Georgia upon this sub- 
ject, exhibit a strange inconsistency. On the journals of the 
house of assembly, dated January 30, 1783, are the following 
resolutions : '^Resolved, That they have examined such papers 
and persons as have been offered by the different parties, from 
which it appears that the resolves of council, dated at Augusta, 
December 12, 1779, and the letter from governor Walton, to 
the president of congress, dated December 15, 1779, respecting 
general M'Intosh, were unjust, illiberal, and a misrepresenta- 
tion of facts : that the letter said to be from William Glascock, 
speaker of the assembly, dated I^ovember 30, 1779, addressed 
to the president of congress, appears to be a forgery, in violation 
of law and truth, and highly injurious to the interest of the 
state, and dangerous to the rights of its citizens ; and that the 
attorney-general be ordered to make the necessary inquiries and 
enter such prosecutions as may be consistent with his duty and 
office. 

"Resolved, That general M'Intosh be informed, that this 
house do entertain an abhorrence of all such injurious attempts 
made use of, as appears by the papers laid before them, to in- 
jure the character of an officer and citizen of this state, who 
merits the attention of the legislature, for his early, decided 
and persevering efforts in the defence of America, of which 
virtues this house have the highest sense." The day preceding 
the one on which these resolutions were passed, George Walton, 
esquire, was appointed chief justice of the state of Georgia, by 
the same body who voted these censures upon him : therefore he 
was appointed to preside over the only tribunal, competent to 
his own trial. 



464 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

The Georgians, whose property had been taken into possession 
by the commissioners of sequestration for the use of the crown, 
exercised their ingenuity to devise the means for the recovery 
of it, and to remove it into places of security. Small parties 
made frequent incursions, and in some instances they were suc- 
cessful, and in others they lost their lives. Parties of loyalists 
were laid in wait at the different passes, to intercept the Ameri- 
cans in their attempts to recover their own property, and were 
frequently successful in cutting them off.^ Private armed ves- 
sels were also employed for similar purposes1*hdser of Georgia, 
commanded by commodore Oliver Bowen, captains Spencer, 
John Howell, William Maxwell, Job Pray, Hardy, John Law- 
son, Joseph Stiles, and many others who had small vessels in 
North-Carolina, made frequent voyages along the coast, with 
various success ; and it is not matter of wonder, that both land 
and water parties made occasional reprisals on the enemy, when 
they were unsuccessful in the recovery of their own property. 
By the activity of the privateers, the parties of the enemy who 
were collecting provisions and forage for the troops at Savan- 
nah, were frequently captured as they were passing along the 
inland navigation: the crews of the vessels, and guards which 
were taken on board, were generally paroled as prisoners of 
war ; but when captures were made of such as had been guilty of 
murder, house-burning or robbery, on the friends of freedom, 
they were executed for their crimes: instances of this nature 
seldom happened, except by way of retaliation for murders 
committed by the British, for what they called treason and 
rebellion. 

The privateers made frequent and successful voyages to the 
West-Indies, from whence they brought supplies of gun powder, 
salt, and other articles, necessary for the supply of the American 
troops and the citizens. 

Colonels Twiggs, Dooley, Clarke, Few, and Jones, were ac- 
tively employed on the frontier against the Indians, and in the 
partizan warfare into that part of the state, possessed by the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 465 

British troops. In one of Dooley's skirmishes in Burke county, 
two men were killed, by the names of Corker, and Webb. The 
next day, colonel Twiggs attacked a party of M'Girth's men, 
who had plundered and burned several houses: he retook the 
property, killed three of the enemy, and took five of them pris- 
oners. About the 20th of March, colonel Pickens, with a part 
of his regiment, from South-Carolina, formed a junction with 
colonel Twiggs, and captain Inman's troop of horse. With this 
force, which consisted of about three hundred men, they 
marched dovsm the Ogechee river, with the expectation of sur- 
prising M' Girth, whose marauders had been employed in dis- 
tressing those who were in the American interest, in the south- 
eastern division of the state. They proceeded to Liberty county, 
got sight of M'Girth, and gave chase to him ; but the knowledge 
he had of the country, and the fleetness of his horse, enabled him 
to escape. Some of his party were killed, and three or four 
taken prisoners. About sixty of the Americans returned to 
governor Wright's plantation, which had been fixed on as the 
place of rendezvous. 

The British general in Savannah received information of 
passing events to the south, and ordered a force, which he 
deemed competent to the object, to proceed to Ogechee and dis- 
perse the Americans collected in that quarter. This detachment 
was commanded by captain Conklin of the first battalion of 
Dulaney's corps, consisting of two subalterns and sixty-four 
men. Conklin marched from Savannah, at three o'clock, on 
the morning of the 4th of April, and reached Ogechee ferry 
about ten. He met with some negroes, who informed him of 
the number and position of the party he was directed to dis- 
perse. He was suffered to pass over the river without interrup- 
tion. He ordered ensign Supple with fifteen men, to file off 
and gain the right flank of his adversary. Pickens and Twiggs 
discovered the enemy as they were passing over the river, 
watched their motions, and were aware of the design of this 
manoeuvre, and accordingly ordered the main body to be con- 
30 



466 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

cealed from the view of the enemy, and take an advantageous 
position to cut off their right flank, and to encourage the ad- 
vance of the enemy, by exhibiting only twenty militia dragoons, 
under the command of captain Inman. This plan was well cal- 
culated to draw the enemy into close action, and cut off the 
probability of a retreat. Pickens and Twiggs having taken 
their positions on the flanks, waited the approach of the enemy, 
who advanced with apparent confidence. Captain Inman was 
too precipitate in the attack, which compelled the flanks to en- 
gage before the enemy had got off the causeway. In the first 
part of the skirmish, Conklin received a mortal wound. Lieu- 
tenant Roney finding his situation critical, resorted to the bay- 
onet, with which he made a desperate charge, and was also 
wounded. Ensign Supple's detachment was pressed closely by 
captain Inman's dragoons, and compelled to retreat through the 
swamp in a rice field, where he knew the dragoons could not 
carry the pursuit. He re-joined his party, and ordered the 
wounded to be carried to the boats. He kept up a retreating 
fire until he reached the river, which he re-crossed. Of the 
enemy, two privates were killed and seven wounded, among the 
latter were the first and second officers in the command. Cap- 
tain Conklin died the next morning. Governor Wright's barn, 
containing three hundred and fifty barrels of rice, was burned 
to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy, who were 
then employed in collecting supplies at Savannah. On the 27th 
of the preceding month, one of the American detachments fell 
in with a party of the enemy in Liberty county, consisting of 
white men and Indians ; four of the former, and six of the lat- 
ter, were killed, without sustaining any loss on the American 
side, except one man slightly wounded. 

As the appearance of things at this period strongly indicated 
the subjugation of vSouth-Carolina to the British crown, every 
exertion was made by the republican refugees from Georgia, to 
remove their property northwardly to places which promised 
safety. The principal object contemplated by the expedition of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 467 

Pickens and Twiggs, was to favour this design. While the 
owners were collecting their property, the scouting parties of 
the enemy were driven within the limits of the strong hold at 
Savannah. Among the American parties thus emj^jloyed, one 
under the command of captain John Bilbo, was fired upon 
from a house near Cherokee hill. Bilbo received a mortal 
wound, and was carried off by his men to another house in the 
neighborhood, from whence he was removed the next day by the 
enemy to Savannah in a cart, where he died on the 8th of May. 
The vehicle in which he was conveyed, and the roughness of the 
road over which he had to pass, at least hastened if it did not 
occasion his death. 

The small pox had not been in the country for thirty years, 
and the distresses of the people were greatly increased by its 
having been generally spread over the southern states by the 
enemy. Every effort to keep it out of the American camp had 
failed. This disease, more destructive to the human species 
than the sword of the enemy, was justly dreaded by the militia, 
when confined to camp in a warm climate. Superstition pre- 
vailed for a considerable time, against its introduction into the 
human body by inoculation. Experiments at last, overcame 
these fanciful whims, and the disease was introduced into the 
camp and country, and passed through both with very incon- 
siderable loss. It was afterward divested of its terrors, and 
placed upon a level with common diseases. 

Finding that the impressions made upon the northern states 
were but transitory, the British generals turned more of their 
attention to those in the southern district. The late repulse of 
the allied armies before Savannah, gave encouragement to these 
views, and in December 1779, an army embarked at New- York, 
under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, escorted by a fleet, 
commanded by admiral Arbuthnot. They had a tedious and 
boisterous passage, which prevented their arrival in Savannah 
until the 11th of February, where they remained but a few 
days to digest the plan of operations against South-Carolina. 



468 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

A strong detaclimeiit of the British army was ordered to pass 
over the Savannah river, at Purysburg, and march along the 
sea-board through the eastern part of the state, while the main 
body of the army and the fleet, commanded by Sir Henry Clin- 
ton in person, passed round to Stono inlet, and dis-embarked on 
John's and James' islands. General Patterson marched through 
the country with but little interruption, formed a junction with 
Clinton on the south side of Ashley river, and advanced to 
Charleston on the 1st of April. Charleston was invested, and 
saps of regular approaches were opened on the land side ; while 
it was closely blockaded by sea. As the detail of the siege and 
subsequent reduction of Charleston, more properly belongs to 
the history of South-Carolina, and has been given in detail by 
the venerable Doctor Eamsay ; it is only noticed here to connect 
subsequent events in Georgia. The siege and the defence were 
conducted with military skill and enterprise, until the 12th of 
May, when the works were considered no longer tenable, and it 
was surrendered by general Lincoln to the British army and 
navy. By the fall of Charleston, general M'Intosh with the 
remnant of the Georgia brigade, all the other continental troops 
in the southern department, several thousands of the militia, 
and the residue of the ordnance and military stores, in the 
southern states, fell into the hands of the enemy. 

Proclamations were issued by the British general, offering 
peace and protection to the inhabitants who would yield obe- 
dience and submission to the crown ; and vengeance was de- 
nounced against those who continued to resist the royal govern- 
ment. Strong detachments of British troops were marched to 
the most populous towns, to establish military posts ; and the 
militia were required to meet by regiments, surrender their 
arms and ammunition, and take protection. 

So soon as the surrender of Charleston was made known to 
the governor of Georgia, at Augusta, he retreated with part of 
his council, and a number of the civil officers, to ISTorth-Carolina, 
and narrowly escaped capture on the way. Colonel Stephen 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17S0. 469 

Heard, who was president of the council, and several of the 
members, retreated to Wilkes county, where the semblance of a 
government was still kept up. 

Some time after the fall of Savannah, the public records of 
Georgia had been removed by captain John Milton to Charles- 
ton, and deposited in one of the public offices. After perform- 
ing this service, Milton had returned and joined general Lin- 
coln, in whose suite he acted as an additional aid, and continued 
with him until a short time before the British took Charleston. 
Finding that the public records were again in danger, captain 
Milton applied to Mr. Joseph Clay and Doctor N. W. Jones, 
to have them removed to some other place which promised 
more safety. Application was accordingly made to general Lin- 
coln, who ordered Milton to take charge of them and have them 
transported in waggons to Newbern, in Korth-Carolina, and de- 
livered to governor Nash. After this service was performed, 
Milton was ordered to return to Charleston. When he arrived 
at Georgetown, and heard that Charleston was surrendered, he 
joined captain Ogier, and soon afterward he attached himself 
to the remains of colonel William Washington's regiment of 
dragoons and with them retreated to Wilmington, and thence to 
Hillsborough, where he joined the barren De Kalb and returned 
to Carolina. After general Gates was defeated at Camden, Mil- 
ton joined general Francis Marion and remained with him ; he 
afterwards participated in the active and useful enterprises of 
that officer, and had a share in all the skirmishes in which he 
was engaged. When Marion was promoted to the rank of 
brigadier-general, captain Milton was appointed his aid-de- 
camp. When the British army passed through North-Carolina, 
the Georgia records were removed to Maryland, where they re- 
mained until the close of the war. These records, principally 
belonging to the office of the secretary of state, were almost the 
only public papers of Georgia, which were preserved. After 
the treaty between the United-States and Great-Britain, these 
records were brought back to Georgia under the care of captain 
Nathaniel Pearre, of the Georgia continental brigade. 



470 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

The executive reign of governor Howley, was of short dura- 
tion. In this gentleman's character, there appears to have been 
a mixture of an uncommon portion of excentricity, w^ith great 
talents. The same traits of character were combined in the 
person of his secretary of state; but they very differently di- 
rected. While the governor and his council were surrounded 
with dangers and difficulties on the retreat, the gloomy pros- 
pects of the party vanished, under the exercise of the wit and 
humour of these two gentlemen. The value of paper money 
was at that time so much reduced, that the governor dealt it out 
by the quire for a night's lodging of his party; and if the fare 
was any thing extraordinary, the landlord was compensated 
with two quires ; for which the treasurer required a draft made 
out in due form, and signed by the governor. 

Brigadier-general Andrew Williamson encamped near Au- 
gusta, with about three hundred men. The governor suspected 
that Williamson encouraged the delay of himself and his numer- 
ous train, that they might fall into the hands of the enemy. 
There were strong grounds to suspect that Williamson concealed 
his intelligence of the reduction of Charleston, several days after 
he was informed of that event. His aid, Malcomb Brown, had 
long given evidences of his attachment to the royal government : 
Williamson could neither read nor write ; and in fact, Brown 
was the general in every thing but in name. The editor of 
the Roj^al Gazette of Georgia, expressed some astonishment at 
the tardy movements of Williamson ; asserting that long ago he 
had the king's protection in his pocket ; and that he had agreed 
to accept of a colonels commission, while he commanded a 
brigade in the American service. However, this may have 
been, he gave every encouragement to the surrender of his bri- 
gade in Xinety-six district, accepted a colonels commission in 
the king's service, and continued to be a warm advocate for the 
re-establishment of the government of the crown, until the close 
of the war. 

Colonel Elijah Clarke had embodied about three hundred men 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1180. 471 

in Wilkes coiintv, and not suspecting the disaffection of Wil- 
liamson, anxiously waited to be informed of his future inten- 
tions and determination. Williamson remained in his camp, 
apparently undetermined as to future operations, until the 
British detachments had marched to the frontier of Carolina, 
and colonel Brown had taken possession of Augusta. William- 
son then called his officers together, and after expressing an 
opinion that further resistance would be vain and ineft'ectual, 
recommended to them to return to their homes, accept the prof- 
fered protection, and yield obedience to the British government. 
Several of the patriots in Georgia, to the southward of Au- 
gusta, had been busily engaged for the first four months of this 
year, in getting off their families and a little property to sup- 
port them in the northern states. Some had stopped in South- 
Carolina, who were obliged again to pack up and proceed far- 
ther north. Many who wished well to the American cause, 
foreseeing the distresses to which their families would be re- 
duced by the want of the common necessaries of life and a total 
loss of property, yielded and took protection. Others, who were 
regardless of every other consideration, but that of freedom and 
indejDendence, and whose families were too unwieldy to be re- 
moved ; determined to leave them and their property to the 
mercy of the enemy. Colonel John Jones of Burke county, and 
colonel Benjamin Few of Richmond, commanded two detach- 
ments of this description. They retreated to Wilkes and joined 
colonel Clarke. About this time the defection of Williamson 
was understood. Colonel Brown had despatched emissaries 
into the country, with authority to give protection and adminis- 
ter the oath of allegiance to the British crown. One of these 
parties, commanded by captain Corker, entered the house of 
colonel John Dooley, at a late hour of the night, and murdered 
him in a most barbarous manner in the presence of his wife and 
children. At the commencement of the war, this officer had 
accepted the commission of a captain in the Georgia continental 
brigade: the murder of his brother on the 22d of July 177G, 



472 IIISTOBY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

produced a determination to avail himself of the first opportu- 
nity, to take vengeance on its perpetrators ; and for this pur- 
pose, he meditated an attack upon a party of Indians, then at 
Galphins. Propositions had been made to the Indians by the 
government of Georgia, to enter into negociations for a treaty 
of peace ; but the demands of the Indians could not be complied 
with on the part of the state, and no prospect remained of peace 
being effected. Captain Dooley's scheme of revenge was dis- 
covered soon after it was formed, and himself and a lieutenant 
who joined him in the plan, were arrested by the civil govern- 
ment of the state. Colonel Elbert was directed to order a gen- 
eral court-martial for their trial. Dooley requested permission 
to resign his commission, which was granted, and he was soon 
afterward appointed colonel of the militia, in Wilkes county, 
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of colonel Cole- 
man. The greater part of the remainder of Dooley's life was 
passed in the camp: he was engaged in many battles and skir- 
mishes, the issue of which were honourable to himself, and ad- 
vantageous to his country. 

Shortly after the capture of Charleston, and previous to the 
advance of colonel Brown to Augusta, a party of loyalists under 
the command of captain Hollingsworth, were detached by colonel 
M'Girth into the neighbourhood of captain M'Kay, in South- 
Carolina. This party murdered seventeen men on their farms, 
in one or two days. M'Kay's activity in the American cause, 
had rendered him peculiarly odious to the enemy ; and in fact, 
he was the particular object of this party. From Pipe creek 
to Swicard's mill, the country exhibited a scene of ruin. All 
the moveable property was plundered, and every house was 
burned. A flourishing country of thirty miles in length, and 
ten in breadth, was desolated by these banditti. Disappointed 
in their expectations of getting possession of M'Kay's person, 
they resorted to the torture of his wife to extort from her a 
knowledge of the place of his concealment. The mode of in- 
flicting the torture, was by taking a flint out of the lock of a 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 473 

musket, and putting her thumb in its place. The screw was 
applied, until the thumb was ready to burst. While under this 
new invented species of torture, which would have been con- 
sidered disgraceful to the most savage nation in the world, in 
addition to the questions put to her respecting her husband, she 
was required to disclose the secret deposit of her most valuable 
property, which they alleged had been removed and hidden in 
the woods. M'Kay was afterward charged with cruelty toward 
the enemy, by his own countrymen who were engaged in the 
same cause : to such, let it be asked, if there were any measures 
of retaliation which would satisfy the human mind, where the 
measure of injuries had become full and overflowing. To such 
causes as these, the subsequent sanguinary mode of conducting 
the war in Georgia, is justly attributable. 

Colonel Clarke despatched special messengers into Carolina, 
to advise with some of the principal officers, offering to co- 
operate with them in making a stand against the enemy. In 
the mean time his command was dispersed to make preparations 
for a long campaign, and take leave of their families. Twenty 
(]ays were allowed for preparations, and Freeman's fort fixed 
on as the place of rendezvous. In the interim, no intelligence 
had been received flattering to their hopes ; on the contrary, the 
British had marched in force to the frontier of South-Carolina, 
where the loyalists were forming into companies and regiments. 
Some small parties had previously left Georgia, passed along 
the frontier of Carolina on the slope of the mountains, and 
joined the American army near Cataba river. 

Agreeably to appointment, on the 11th of July, one hundred 
and forty men, well mounted and armed, rendezvoused at Free- 
man's fort. They crossed the Savannah river in the night at a 
private ford, six miles above Petersburgh. The British and 
loyalists were at this time in force in his front. This intelli- 
gence was received by colonel Clarke the next day after he 
marched from his rendezvous, and induced a belief, that to pur- 
sue his intended route, with his present numbers, would be 



474 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

hazardous, and render the safety of his retreat very doubtful. 
The interior of North-Carolina, was known to be generally dis- 
affected to the American cause ; and to join the army, he was 
obliged to pass through it. The men who composed Clarke's 
command were volunteers, and having left their own state, each 
man claimed the right of thinking and of acting for himself. 
The dangers which were presented, and the ungovernable dispo- 
sition of his men, induced Clarke to return to Georgia, tem- 
porarily disperse, and wait for more favourable intelligence, 
when he would make another attempt by passing near the foot 
of the mountains through Carolina. This plan being generally 
approved, a retreat was immediately commenced. 

Colonel John Jones of Burke county, objected to the retreat, 
and proposed to a few to join him and leave the country at 
every hazard, by passing through the woods to North-Carolina, 
and joining the army wherever it was to be found. When 
Jones's plan was made known, thirty-five men joined him, 
formed themselves into a company, appointed Jones their cap- 
tain, and John Freeman lieutenant ; promising implicit obe- 
dience to their orders. Benjamin Laurence of Carolina joined 
them, and as he was a good woodsman and well acquainted with 
the country, rendered them great services as a guide. As they 
passed through the disaffected country, they pretended to be a 
company of loyalists, engaged in the king's service ; and in 
many instances were furnished with pilots, under that impres- 
sion. When they had passed the head waters of Saluda river, 
one of these guides informed them, that "a party of rebels had 
attacked some loyalists the preceding night, a short distance in 
front, and defeated them." Jones expressed a wish to be con- 
ducted to the place, that he might join the loyalists, and have it 
in his power to take revenge for the blood of the king's subjects 
which had been shed. About eleven o'clock on the night of the 
14th of July, Jones was conducted to the royal party, where 
about fort_y were collected to pursue the Americans who had 
retreated to the north. Jones made his dispositions for attack 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 475 

by surprise, with twenty-two men, leaving the horses and bag- 
gage in charge of the remainder. He approached the enemy 
with swords, guns, and belt pistols, and found them in a state 
of self security and generally asleep. On the first fire, one of 
the enemy was killed and three were wounded. Thirty-two, in- 
cluding the wounded, surrendered and called for quarter. Jones 
ordered all the enemy's guns to be destroyed, except such as 
would be useful to his men ; paroled the prisoners, and took as 
many of the horses as they could convey away withovit incum- 
brance, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the 
enemy. The pilot did not discover his mistake until it was too 
late to prevent the consequences ; and after the skirmish, was 
required to conduct the Americans to Earle's ford, on Packolet 
river, where a junction was formed with colonel M'Dowell the 
next day. They had taken no rest for three days and nights. 
M'Dowell had made a long march the same day, with three 
hundred North-Carolina militia, of course his troops were very 
much fatigued. 

The British garrison at Prince's fort, was commanded by 
colonel Innis. He had not been informed of the approach of 
M'Dowell's militia ; and detached captain Dunlop with seventy 
British dragoons, in pursuit of colonel Jones. M'Dowell was 
encamped on the east side of the river, on rising ground. Dun- 
lop reached the vicinity of M'Dowell's camp, late at night, and 
supposing it to consist of Georgians only, he delayed the attack 
until the dawn of day. As he was crossing the river, which was 
narrow, the sentinel fired, which gave the first notice to 
M'Dowell of the enemies approach. Dunlop rushed into the 
camp with drawn swords, when but few of the Americans were 
awake. The position of the Georgians in the encampment, ex- 
posed them to the first attack, in consequence of which, they 
sustained very great loss in proportion to their numbers. 
Colonel Jones received eight cuts on the head with a sabre. 
Freeman rallied the remainder, and joined major Singleton, 
who had retreated about one hundred yards and formed behind 



476 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

a fence. M'Dowell formed the main body on Singleton's right. 
An advance was ordered, and the enemy retreated across the 
river, which was fordable in many places, and enabled them to 
get off without mnch loss. Of the Americans, eight were killed 
and thirty wounded; two of the former, and six of the latter, 
were from Georgia. The enemy's loss was not known ; but be- 
lieved to be but one wounded, who was left on the ground. 

Fifty-two of the most active men, including Freeman and 
fourteen of his party, mounted upon the best horses, were 
ordered to pursue the enemy, under the command of captain 
Hampton. The pursuit was commenced before sun-rise, and 
after a march of fifteen miles, in the short period of two hours, 
the enemy was attacked by surprise and defeated. Eight of the 
enemy were killed at the first fire ; and Dunlop unable to rally, 
made a precipitate retreat in which several of his men were 
killed and wounded. The pursuit was continued within three 
hundred yards of the British fort, in which there were three 
hundred men. Hampton returned to camp at two o'clock, and 
brought with him thirty-five horses, with dragoon equipage, and 
a considerable portion of the enemy's baggage, without the loss 
of a man. 

When colonel Elijah Clarke returned to Georgia, he found 
warm and zealous advocates in the persons of colonel Stephen 
Heard, president, Mr. Downs, Mr. Davis, and other members of 
council, in rousing into action and resistance, the militia of the 
western district. The most powerful arguments were used to 
stimulate them to join their countrymen and resist the enemy. 
During their continuance in the state, they were necessarily 
secreted in the woods, and privately supported by their friends. 
This mode of living soon became insupportable, and a general 
wish prevailed to leave the country and join the army, where 
their services would be useful. Clarke's regiment was again 
assembled, and marched along the slope of the mountain, and 
was joined by colonel Jones near the line which separates j^orth 
from South-Carolina. He formed his encampments upon ad- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 477 

vantageous grounds, often changing his positions to guard 
against surprise. He was soon after joined by several small 
parties from Georgia, and by captain James M'Call, with about 
twenty men from colonel Pickens' regiment. 

As Clarke had no public funds at command, he was obliged 
to subsist and forage upon the enemy; with whom he often 
skirmished with success. He watched every opportunity of 
cutting off the supplies of colonel Innis ; and gave so much 
annoyance to his garrison, that a determination was formed to 
bring on a general action, which it was the interest of his oppo- 
nent to avoid. With this view he came out in force, and pur- 
sued Clarke to Wafford's iron works, on the 10th of August, 
where Clarke chose his ground and waited the attack. In the 
afternoon his piquet was driven in, and a distant fire continued 
until near night. Every exertion was made to draw Clarke 
from his position, which was chosen with great judgment; but 
he guarded against being drawn into battle upon equal ground, 
while he was out-numbered in the ranks of the enemy; and 
Innis as carefully avoided close action, unless he could effect 
it upon equal terms. The opposing parties withdrew from 
their ground in the night. Each claimed the victory, though 
no great advantage had been obtained by either. Innis retired 
to his fortress, which was near Musgrove's mill, on Enoree river, 
and Clarke returned the next morning to his usual encampment. 

The loss of the Americans, was one major and three privates 
killed, and five or six wounded. The loss of the enemy, five 
killed and eleven wounded. Major Burwell Smith, who was 
among the slain, had been an active partizan in Indian warfare, 
and had greatly contributed to the settlement of Georgia: he 
had often skirmished with the Indians, and never suffered sur- 
prise or defeat. His fall was lamented by all those who acted 
with him, and particularly by colonel Clarke, who considered 
him one of his best partizan officers. 

Colonel Clarke continued to annoy the foraging parties of 
the enemy, and was so generally successful, that colonel Innis 



478 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

determined to increase his force, renew the attack upon Clarke's 
camp, and if possible, drive him ont of the conntry. With this 
view he commenced his march at the head of three hundred and 
fifty men, composed of British regulars, militia, dragoons, and 
loyalists. On the night of the l7th of August, the approach of 
Innis was communicated to Clarke by his spies. Fortunately 
for colonel Clarke, he had been joined hy colonels Williams, 
Branham, and Shelby, and this united force, all militia, raised 
his numbers to an equality with the ranks of the enemy, and 
after consulting the field officers, it was determined to meet them 
the next morning. 

About four miles north of Musgrove's mill there was a plan- 
tation, through which was a lane, and Clarke considered that 
the north end of it afforded him a favourable position for the 
attack. He advanced with one hundred men ; himself on the 
right, and major M'Call on the left ; forming in the edge of the 
thick wood across the road, and extending his flanks near the 
fence. Williams and Branham were ordered to form close in 
the rear of the flanks, and Shelby to cover the centre, as a 
reserve corps, and to throw his force wherever circumstances 
might require. The advance guard of the enemy were within 
fifty paces before they were aware of danger. When Clarke 
commenced the attack, Innis ordered his dragoons and mounted 
militia to charge upon the Americans, and force them from the 
ground they occupied, that he might have room to form his 
regulars. Clarke was aware that the issue of the battle de- 
pended on his holding his ground, so as to force the British 
regulars to form in the open field, while his own men would be 
covered by the fence and the woods. Williams and Branham 
advanced and formed upon the right and left, and Shelby to the 
support of the centre, and the contest became close and san- 
guinary. Observing this additional force, the dragoons and 
royal militia retreated into the lane among the British regulars, 
thus increasing the confusion, and flying from the field in the 
utmost disorder. The regulars had not room to form, and if 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17S0. 479 

they had in the open field, it would have been to great disad- 
vantage. In this confused state, exposed to a galling fire from 
the American riflemen, they remained but a few minutes before 
seven British officers out of nine, were either killed or wounded ; 
and the men tumbled down in heaps, without the power of re- 
sistance. Among the wounded, was the British commander. 
Captain Ker, second in command, finding that resistance would 
then be vain, and without hope of success, ordered a retreat ; 
which was effected in close order for four miles, resorting to the 
bayonet for defence in flank and rear. The pursuit was con- 
tinued by the victors, until the enemy took refuge in Mus- 
grove's mill. 

The British loss, was sixty-three killed, and about one hun- 
dred and sixty wounded and taken prisoners. The American 
loss, was four killed, and nine wounded ; among the former was 
captain Inman, and among the latter were colonel Clarke and 
captain John Clarke. The colonel received two wounds with a 
sabre on the back of his neck and head: his stock buckle saved 
his life. He was for a few minutes a prisoner with the enemy, 
in charge of two men, but taking advantage of his strength and 
activity, he knocked one of them down and the other fled. 
Colonel Clarke buried his dead, and returned to his former 
encampment near the iron works. 



CHAPTER XI. 

LOED CORJSTWALLIS having spread his military posts 
over Georgia and South-Carolina, considered the conquest 
of those two states so far complete, as to authorize with 
impunity an infringement of the conditions stipulated in the 
protections which had heen given to the inhabitants. The im- 
pression first made upon the public mind, was, that persons and 
property were to be secured against outrage and molestation, by 
the British troops and loyalists, and that they were not to take 
up arms against the crown of Great-Britain, so long as these 
conditions were duly regarded. Having gained entire posses- 
sion of these two states, his lordship began to indulge the idea of 
extending his conquest to JSTorth-Carolina ; but finding that his 
numbers were unequal to his plans ; the deficiency could only be 
supplied by making an indiscriminate call upon the militia. 
With this impolitic measure in view, Sir Henry Clinton had 
issued a proclamation on the 5th of June, by which it was de- 
clared, that all those who were paroled, (not taken in action or 
under arms,) and those who had taken protections, should be 
released from these unnecessary restrictions, and after the 20th 
of the same month, should be liable to take up arms in defence 
of the country, and consider themselves as being restored to all 
the rights and duties appertaining or belonging to the king's 
subjects. All persons of the description before mentioned, who 
should thereafter neglect or refuse to return to their allegiance, 
were to be considered as enemies and rebels, and treated 
accordingly. 

There was some ambiguity in this proclamation, and some of 
those who had taken protections were willing to construe it into 
its most favourable light toward themselves: others who had 
not so high an opinion of the character of the British com- 
mander, considered the proclamation as a direct violation of the 
conditions stipulated in their protections. An explanation how- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 481 

ever, soon followed the proclamation, which verified the pre- 
dictions of the minority, that Sir Henry Clinton was capable 
of duplicity, and of the violation of contracts, whenever such 
measures accorded with the interest of his prince. The follow- 
ing is an extract of lord Cornwallis' letter to the commanders 
of his out-posts. "The inhabitants of the provinces who have 
subscribed to, and taken part in this revolt, should be punished 
with the utmost rigour; and also those who will not turn out, 
shall be imprisoned and their whole property taken from them 
or destroyed. I have ordered in the most positive manner, that 
every militia man who has borne arms with us and afterward 
joined the enemy, shall be immediately hanged. I desire you 
will take the most rigorous measures to punish the rebels in 
the district in which you command, and that you obey in the 
strictest manner, the directions I have given in this letter, rela- 
tive to the inhabitants in this country." This order was circu- 
lated among the British officers, at the garrisons in Georgia and 
South-Carolina, but foreseeing the bad effects it might have 
upon the public mind, it was for a time carefully concealed 
from the people at large. The most barbarous cruelties were 
practised under its authority, without the forms of trial. 'In 
many instances, officers, soldiers, and citizens, were brought 
up to the place of execution, without being informed why they 
had been taken out of prison. The next morning after this san- 
guinary order reached Augusta, five victims were taken from 
the gaol by order of colonel Brown, who all expired on the 
gibbet. 

Encouraged by the hope that the foregoing proclamation and 
order, by the British commanders-in-chief, would rouse the re- 
sentment and bring into the field all those who felt an interest 
in the American cause ; colonel Clarke determined upon mak- 
ing the attempt to recover a part of his own state. Lord Corn- 
wallis had drawn all his disposable force to his head-quarters, 
near Camden, to oppose general Gates, and afterward to give 
him sufficient strength to advance into North-Carolina: conse- 
31 



482 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

quently he had left barely a sufficiency to garrison his posts in 
Georgia and South-Carolina. About the 1st of September col- 
onel Clarke returned to Wilkes county, in Georgia, and lieuten- 
ant-colonel M'Call to the western part of ISTinety-six district; 
with the expectation of raising a joint force, of at least one 
thousand men. To such an army it was sunDosed that Augusta 
would submit with little or no resistance, and that jSTinety-six 
might soon afterward be menaced, and would probably be evacu- 
ated by the enemy. If Clarke's views had been seconded with 
that zeal which inhabited his ovsra bosom, the exertions of one 
month would have thrown the western divisions of Georgia and 
South-Carolina, into the possession of the Americans, 

Though the Carolinians were in general, favourably disposed 
toward the freedom and independence of their country, and felt 
great solicitude for the success of the plan, yet they could not 
be sufficiently inspired with the certainty of the issue, to induce 
them to take up arms. The effects of the British general's proc- 
lamation, had not, to their knowledge, commenced its operations. 
The sacrifice of those lives which had fallen under lord Corn- 
wallis' explanatory order, was attributed to other causes, and 
the secret spring which formed its basis, was concealed from the 
public. 

Lieutenant-colonel M'Call made his first application to col- 
onel Pickens, and the most influential officers of his regiment; 
but with little success. The stipulations in their protections 
had not yet been violated, and they considered themselves 
bound, by conscience and honor, not to break their engagement 
until an infringement was made upon its conditions. Instead 
of five hundred men, which had been confidently calculated 
upon from Carolina, M'Call's persuasions could only induce 
eighty to accompany him upon the expedition. AVith this num- 
ber he marched to Soap creek, in Georgia, forty miles north- 
west of Augusta, which had been fixed on as the place of rendez- 
vous. Colonel Clarke had been more successful : his numbers 
amounted to three hundred and fifty. Though this little band 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 483 

fell far short of his expectations, and were really inadequate 
to the purposes he had in view, it was then too late to relinquish 
a project which he so anxiously wished to accomplish: he was 
therefore compelled to depend upon courage and stratagem, as 
substitutes for numbers in his ranks. 

Colonel Clarke's arrangements had been made so suddenly, 
and so unexpectedly to the enemy, that he reached the vicinity 
of Augusta unobserved, and found them unprepared for an at- 
tack. On the morning of the 14th of September, he halted near 
the town, and formed his command into three divisions: the 
right commanded by lieutenant-colonel M'Call, the left by major 
Samuel Taylor, and the centre by colonel Clarke in person. 
The centre approached the town by the middle road, and the 
right and left by the lower and upper roads, at its eastern and 
western extremities. ]^ear Hawk's creek on the west, major 
Taylor fell in with an Indian camp : they kept up a desultory 
fire and retreated toward their allies. Taylor pressed on to 
get possession of M'Kay's trading-house, denominated the 
White-house, one mile and an half west of the town. At this 
house the Indians joined a company of the king's rangers, com- 
manded by captain Johnston. The attack upon the camp gave 
the first intimation to Brown of the Americans' approach. He 
(U^dered Grierson to re-enforce Johnston, and advanced to the 
scene of action in person, with the main body. The centre and 
ri^ht divisions completely surprised the garrisons of the forts, 
and took possession without resistance. Seventy prisoners, and 
all the Indian presents, were put under charge of a guard, and 
Clarke marched with the residue to the assistance of major 
Taylor. Brown and Grierson had joined Johnston and the In- 
dians, and upon Clarke's approach, took shelter in the White- 
house, and defended it. Several attempts were made to dislodge 
tlie enemy, by taking possession of some small out-houses to the 
eastward ; but they failed, from the houses being too small and 
flanked by the Indians. Finding that these houses furnished 
little or no defence, they were abandoned. A desultory fire 



484 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

was continued from eleven o'clock until night, but it was found 
that the enemy could not be dislodged without artillery. The 
house was situated about eighty yards from the river. The In- 
dians, who had not room to fight from the house, took shelter 
under the banks, which furnished them with a good breast work ; 
while they were secured by the thick wood between the bank and 
the waters edge. At the close of the day the firing ceased, and 
strong guards were posted to keep the enemy in check. 

Under cover of the night, Brown added strength to his posi- 
tion, by throwing up some works round the house. The crev- 
ices, between the weather boards and ceiling, were filled up with 
earth, to make it proof against musketry: loop-holes were cut 
out at convenient distances ; the windows were filled up with 
boards, taken from the floors ; and defence rendered as formid- 
able as the materials at command would admit. The next morn- 
ing two pieces of artillery, six and four pounders, were brought 
up from Grierson's fort, and placed in a position to bear upon 
the house ; but the carriages not being calculated for field service, 
added to unskilful management, they proved of little use : cap- 
tain Martin, of South-Carolina, the only artillerist attached to 
colonel Clarke's command, was unfortunately killed soon after 
the pieces were brought to bear upon the enemy. A fire was 
continued through the day, with small arms, but without much 
prospect of compelling the enemy either to abandon the house 
or surrender. 

On the night of the 15th, Brown was re-enforced by fifty 
Cherokee Indians, who crossed the river in canoes : they were 
armed, and united in defending their beloved man. On the 
morning of the 15th, before day light, the Americans drove the 
Indians from the river bank, and cut off their communication 
with the water, by which the wounded, particularly, suffered 
greatly. The dead men and horses which lay about the house, 
became very offensive. Early in the engagement Brown was 
shot through both thighs and suffered among the wounded, who 
were often heard calling for water and medical aid. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 485 

The sufferings of the wounded ; the want of water ; and the 
nauseous smell of animal putrifaction, it was supposed, would 
discourage the besieged, and induce them to surrender. On 
the lYth, colonel Clarke sent colonel Brown a summons; but 
the proposition was rejected, and Clarke warned of the destruc- 
tion his measures would bring upon the western division of 
Georgia. In the afternoon the summons to surrender was re- 
peated, with the addition that Brown would be held responsible 
for the consequences of his temerity, and a declared determina- 
tion to reduce the garrison, whatever might be the requisite 
sacrifice to accomplish it. Brown replied, that it was his deter- 
mination to defend himself to the last extremity. 

Immediately after colonel Clarke arrived at Augusta, Brown 
had despatched messengers by different routes to I^inety-six; 
informing colonel Cruger of his situation, and the necessity of 
immediate relief by re-enforcements. Sir Patrick Houstoun, 
one of the messengers, reached Ninety-six early on the next day, 
and was the first to communicate Brown's embarrassed situation 
to Cruger, who lost no time in making preparations and ad- 
vancing to his relief. On the night of the l7th, Clarke's spies 
informed him of Cruger's approach, by forced marches, with 
five hundred British regulars and royal militia, to the relief of 
the besieged. Many of colonel Clarke's men had gone to visit 
their friends and families, in Burke county, from whom they 
had long been absent: others, who had been actuated by the 
hope of obtaining plunder, rather than by motives of zeal in 
the cause of their country, had decamped, laden with the goods 
which colonel Brown had received not long before for presents 
to the Indians. 

About eight o'clock, on the morning of the 18th, the British 
troops appeared on the opposite side of the river. The weak- 
ness occasioned by the loss of men in the action and siege, and 
by the desertion of those who prefered plunder to the honor 
and interest of their country, compelled the Americans to raise 
the siege and retreat about ten o'clock, having sustained a loss 



486 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17S0. 

of about sixty, killed and wounded: among the former, were 
captains Charles Jourdine and William Martin. William 
Luekie, a brave and much respected young man from Carolina, 
was killed early in the contest in a desperate effort to gain the 
possession of the White-house. Such of the Americans as were 
badly wounded, and not in a condition to be removed, were left 
in the town. Captain Asby, an officer noted for his bravery and 
humanity, with twenty-eight others, including the wounded, fell 
into the hands of the enemy and were disposed of, under the 
sanguinary order of lord Cornwallis, in the following manner : 
captain Asby and twelve of the wounded prisoners, were hanged 
on the staircase of the White-house, where Brown was lying 
wounded, so that he might have the satisfaction of seeing the 
victims of his vengeance expire. Their bodies were delivered 
up to the Indians, who scalped and otherwise mangled them 
and threw them in the river. Henry Duke,* John Burgamy, 

Scott Reeden, Jordan Eicketson, Darling, and two youths, 

brothers, of seventeen and fifteen years of age, named Glass, 
were all hanged: the former of these youths was shot through 
the thigh and could not be carried off when the retreat was or- 
dered, and the younger brother could not be prevailed on to 
leave him; his tenderness and affection cost him his life: a 
horse was the fatal scaffold on which they were mounted, and 
from the gibbet they entered together on the long journey of 
eternity. All this was merciful, when compared with the fate 
which awaited the other prisoners ; they were delivered to the 
Indians to glut their vengeance for the loss they had sustained 
in the action and siege. The Indians formed a circle and 
placed the prisoners in the centre, and their eagerness to shed 
blood spared the victims from tedious torture : some were scalped 
before they sunk under the Indian weapons of war ; others were 
thrown into fires and roasted to death. The record of these 
transactions is now before the author, from the pens of British 

* Henry Duke was hanged by order of colonel Cruger, under the charge 
of violating his protection. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17 SO. 487 

offif'-ers who were present, who exultingly communicated it to 
their friends in Savannah, Charleston, and London, where it 
stands upon record in the papers of the day. 

Major Carter, adjutant to colonel Clarke's regiment, received 
a mortal wound at the White-house door, endeavouring to pre- 
vent the enemy from gaining possession of it, and with great 
hazard, his companions carried him off the ground ; he was re- 
moved to Mrs. Bugg's plantation, where he died a few days 
afterward. Colonel Clarke's own words give the best evidence 
of the high standing of this officer, in his estimation: '^A man 
of more bravery than major Carter, never occupied a space be- 
tween heaven and earth." 

The British loss was announced in colonel Brown's official 
letter, published in Charleston, but cannot now be stated with 
correctness. Among the slain, was captain Andrew Johnston 
and ensign Silcox, of the Florida rangers. According to the 
British account, seventy Indians were killed. 

The morning on which colonel Clarke retreated, he paroled 
the British officers and soldiers who had been captured, and 
received certificates from the officers, of the number of men 
who were to be considered and accounted for as prisoners of 
war : cajjtain, or lieutenant James Smith, for himself and forty- 
one of the king's rangers ; a commissioned officer and eleven 
men of Dulaney's corps, and a surgeon. These officers and 
private soldiers, regardless of their obligations as prisoners on 
parole, resumed their arms immediately after Clarke retreated. 

Colonel Brown's command at Augusta, consisted of two hun- 
dred and fifty men, of several corps, but principally of Florida 
rangers ; two hundred and fifty Creek, and fifty Cherokee In- 
dians ; making a total of five hundred and fifty. If Brown had 
not been surprised in the first instance, the numbers in his 
ranks would have authorized the defeat of his adversaries. This 
circumstance combined with his personal safety, probably oc- 
casioned his obstinate perseverance in the defence of this feeble 
fortress. 



488 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

After the siege was raised, colonel John Jones made a visit 
to his friends in Burke county. British detachments were ad- 
vanced in every direction, to seize upon such persons as had par- 
taken in the siege, or were friendly to them by acts or deeds. 
One of these parties under the command of lieutenant Kemp, 
of the rangers, overtook and surprised colonel Jones and five 
others at a house on Beech island, below Augusta : James Gold- 
wire was killed, and Jones and two others were wounded ; they 
succeeded however, in repelling the rangers, and Jones and his 
party retreated into a swamp. The place of Jones' conceal- 
ment, before he had recovered from his wound was discovered, 
and he was taken prisoner. Many of the loyalists wished to 
put him to death, but captain Wylly prevented it, by placing a 
guard over him for his protection. The country was searched, 
and those whose relations were engaged in the American cause, 
were arrested and crowded into prisons : others who were sus- 
pected of having intercourse with any of Clarke's command, 
were hanged without the forms of trial. The venerable grand- 
fathers of the American patriots, whose hoary heads were bend- 
ing toward the grave, were crowded into filthy places of con- 
finement for no other crimes than those of receiving visits from 
their descendants, after a long absence. Among the number 
was the father of captains Samuel and James Alexander, in 
the seventy-eighth year of his age: he was arrested by a party 
commanded by colonel Grierson, and by his order, was ignomin- 
iously chained to a cart and dragged like a criminal forty miles 
in two days ; and when he attempted to rest his feeble frame, 
by leaning upon the cart, the driver was ordered to scourge him 
with his whip. These old men were kept in close confinement, 
as hostages for the neutrality of the country ; but by the in- 
clemency of the season, the small pox, and inhuman treatment, 
very few of them survived to greet their friends in freedom, 
upon the re-conquest of it by the American troops. Twenty- 
five persons who had been paroled in Augusta several months, 
were sent to Charleston ; among whom were majors George 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 489 

Handley and Samuel Stirk, captain Chesley Bostwick, Mr. 
John Werreat, and several members of the executive council of 
Georgia. 

The total defeat of general Gates, near Camden, on the 16th 
of August, and the surprise and defeat of general Sumpter, at 
Fishing creek, two days afterward, encouraged the hopes and 
enterprise of the enemy, whose ferocity increased with their 
success and power to injure. 

In common with all other military expeditions of disastrous 
issue, much blame was attached to colonel Clarke for the one 
he projected and carried against Augusta. He was charged 
with deceiving his followers, by giving a high colouring to 
prospects, which it was unjustly alleged, existed only in fancy, 
and with having enticed them from their peaceful abodes, with- 
out a prospect of advantage to the cause in which he was en- 
gaged ; and that the ruin and distress of many of their families, 
were involved in the calamity. Some of the writers of that 
day, who had neither the zeal, patriotism nor courage of this 
celebrated officer, denominated this expedition "an ill timed 
and a premature insurrection:" and in this extraordinary lan- 
guage, without an examination of the motives, it is recorded in 
the history of the war. Similar charges were alleged against 
M'Call in Carolina, who had a secondary share in the expedi- 
tion. The inhabitants had not yet felt the scourge which was 
preparing for them. Their protections were soon after violated, 
their property confiscated or plundered, and they were per- 
emptorily ordered to take up arms in defence of the royal gov- 
ernment, not only in their own state, but in the subjugation of 
ISTorth-Carolina. The impolicy of the British rulers upon this 
occasion, was strongly evidenced by subsequent events. Unex- 
pectedly required to take up arms, the people at large spurned 
the idea of fighting against their countrymen : by these harsh 
measures, they considered themselves released from the obli- 
gations contained in their protections, and the British soon 
found in them, a formidable enemy in the field. 



490 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

Colonel Clarke's plans were laid with skill and judgment, and 
the part he had to act in them was well executed. Colonel 
Brown must soon have yielded for want of water and provisions, 
and would not probably have held out so long as he did, had it 
not been under a certain expectation of being relieved from 
!N^inety-six. There are but few instances, where the plans of a 
commanding-officer do not suffer more or less by disclosure ; and 
there are many instances where the causes of failure require 
secrecy for a time : consequently, his reputation is sometimes 
liable to suffer by acts of caution and prudence. If a power- 
ful besieging army was compelled to retire from a feeble for- 
tress for want of ammunition, what fatal consequences might 
there result from an immediate disclosure of the cause. Fatal 
disasters were not unusual during the Revolutionary war, which 
can be traced to the gratification of inquisitive militia officers, 
who refused to act without being made acquainted with the mo- 
tives. It is the business of a commander to think, and of his 
army to act : if this confidence cannot justly be reposed in him, 
he is not worthy of the station. 

After colonel Clarke raised the siege at Augusta, he retreated 
to Little river. His men dispersed in small parties to return 
to their homes for the purpose of taking leave of their friends, 
and making preparations to leave the country ; and a time and 
place were appointed for their rendezvous. The prospects of 
poverty and want of subsistence, induced many of those, whose 
families were not too unwieldy, to carry them off' to some place 
where they could be provided for. About the last of Septem- 
ber, the distressed remains of Clarke's regiment met at the 
place appointed. When he was ready to march, he found him- 
self at the head of three hundred men, who had in their train 
four hundred women and children. The political condition of 
the country, for two years, had been such, that the vestiges of 
cultivation were scarcely any where to be seen, and to leave 
families behind under such circumstances, was subjecting them 
to certain want, if not to starvation, in a country under the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 491 

control of an enemy, whose barbarity has been heretofore de- 
scribed. 

With this helpless multitude, like Moses from Egypt of old 
times, and with not more than five days subsistence, Colonel 
Clarke commenced a march of near two hundred miles, through 
a mountainous wilderness, to avoid being cut off by the enemy. 
On the eleventh day, they reached the Wattauga and Xola- 
chuckie rivers, on the north side of the mountains, in a starved 
and otherwise deplorable condition. Many of the men and women 
had received no subsistence for several days, except nuts ; and 
the last two, even the children were subsisted on the same kind 
of food. This is a distressing picture, to which the pen cannot 
do justice ; therefore, it must be filled up by the imagination. 
Many of the tender sex were obliged to travel on foot, and some 
of them without shoes ; and notwithstanding the difficulties they 
had to encounter, they yielded without murmuring, and by 
their smiles cheered the drooping spirits of their husbands. The 
tenderness of the female heart, is always open to the sufferings 
of the brave and the honourable. 

The inhabitants of the country, where these families were 
distributed, have been justly famed for their hospitality, and 
in no instance have the feelings been more completely verified, 
than in the alleviation of the distressing demands, which these 
unfortunate people now made upon them. They had nothing 
to recommend them, but their poverty, and the cause in which 
they suffered : these were sufficient. Supplies of clothing, sub- 
sistence and shelter, were in no instance withheld from them : 
nor were these gratuities momentary : they ceased only with the 
demands which the occasion called for upon their bounty. 

So soon as lord Cornwallis heard of the retreat of colonel 
Clarke from Augusta, he ordered colonel Ferguson of the British 
army, with one hundred British regulars, to march to the fron- 
tier of South-Carolina, where he was well informed that his 
numbers could be augmented by loyalists, so as to form a suffi- 
cient force to overcome colonel Clarke and cut off his retreat, 



492 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

supposing that he would be obliged to return through South- 
Carolina. Apprized of the danger which would attend this 
route, Clarke secured himself against it by crossing the moun- 
tains. M'Call made good his retreat on the eastern side, near 
the slope of the mountains, but suffered much for want of sub- 
sistence. 

Flushed by the success of the British arms against generals 
Gates and Sumpter, and the retreat of colonel Clarke from 
Georgia ; colonel Ferguson flattered himself with the subjugation 
of the country, without opposition. Elated by the field for 
plunder, which was opened in ISTorth-Carolina, the loyalists 
flocked to the royal standard in such numbers, that Ferguson 
was at a loss to furnish them with subsistence and employment, 
until they could reach the promised land ; where they were to 
join the British army under lord Cornwallis. This junction 
was to be formed on the north side of Cataba river, at Char- 
lotte, in Mecklinburgh county. 

While the loyalists were amused with these golden fancies, 
which were to be reaped from the fields of honest industry : the 
hardy race of republican mountaineers were embodying for 
their destruction. The wanton depredations committed by the 
followers of Ferguson, were indiscriminately directed to all 
classes. The well wishers to the royal cause were not exempted 
from pillage, if they refused uniting with them and taking up 
arms. This procedure excited in the breasts of the republicans, 
the highest indignation ; and like a stream advancing from its 
source, by branches falling into it on the right and left, the 
American army increased as it progressed. Colonel Campbell 
was nominally the commanding-officer, and the troops were ar- 
ranged in four divisions under the command of colonels Cleve- 
land, Shelby, Sevier, and Williams. Colonel Ferguson had 
taken his position on the top of King's mountain, where he was 
attacked by the Americans from four different points. The 
militia were ordered to fight in their own way, by securing 
their bodies behind trees from the enemy's fire, and to take de- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 493 

liberate aim. Ferguson and his whole army, consisting of 
eleven hundred men, with a few exceptions, were killed, 
wounded, and taken prisoners, and all their arms, ammunition, 
camp equipage, horses, and baggage of every description, fell 
into the hands of the victorious Americans. While colonel 
Clarke was on his way crossing the mountains he met captain 
Hampton, who informed him that colonel Campbell was col- 
lecting a force on the west side of the mountains to attack 
Ferguson. Major Chandler and captain Johnston, with thirty 
men, filed off and formed a junction with colonel Campbell, at 
Gilbert's town, and had a share in the defeat of Ferguson. 
After disposing of their families among the hospitable inhabi- 
tants of Kentucky, and securing them against the want of the 
actual necessaries of life, colonel Clarke collected the remains 
of his regiment, re-crossed the mountains and returned to his 
former position on the borders of South-Carolina, about the 
20th of October. These men had been so long employed in 
active service, and had so frequently fought and skirmished 
with the enemy, that they might be considered as veteran troops. 
The depreciation of the paper medium, had been severely 
felt among all descriptions of people, but more particularly by 
those connected with the army. The monthly pay of a cap- 
tain, was not equal to the value of a pair of shoes. The whole 
army was badly clothed, badly subsisted, and the money with 
which they were paid was of very little value. The sources of 
public revenue h,ad been exhausted in supporting the expenses 
of the war. While negociations were yet pending between the 
United-States and the continental powers of Europe, Mr. Tel- 
fair of Georgia, suggested to Mr. Walton, his colleagTie in con- 
gress, the idea of sending ministers generally, to those powers, 
and of drawing bills upon them at six months sight, depending 
upon loans for their acceptance and payment, with an offer of 
six per cent interest, to be paid annually, and the principal at 
some distant period. Mr. Walton at first view considered the 
plan chimerical, but admitted of its being worthy of consider- 



494 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

ation. When the subject was introduced before the house by 
Mr. Telfair, he displayed a solidity of financial talents, in an 
unexplored field, which eventually saved the national credit. 
Bills were drawn upon foreign nations to a considerable amount, 
on the faith of the public credit, while congress were employed 
in making ministerial appointments to the courts upon which 
these bills were drawn. They were accordingly accepted and 
paid ; and for a time, relieved the public embarrassments, and 
gave new life to the prosecution of the war. 

In October, general Sumpter left his camp and went to Hills- 
borough to obtain some necessaries for his troops ; in which he 
was unsuccessful, and returned to his camp early in November. 
During his absence he had concerted with general Smallwood, 
that his command should manceuvre near the British army, at 
Winnsborough, and endeavour to draw off a considerable de- 
tachment from Cornwallis' army, in the pursuit of him ; and 
Smallwood was to strike at the rdain army, with the continental 
troops, and ISTorth-Carolina militia. Smallwood being informed 
that general Greene was quickly expected to take command of 
the southern army, did not co-operate according to his engage- 
ment. 

Sumpter moved from his camp, at Stalling's, on Fishing 
creek, with four hundred and twenty-five men, to the fish-dam 
ford on Broad river, which is twenty-eight miles from Winns- 
borough, and encamped on the east side on the morning of the 
9th of ISTovember. From the fish-dam ford, the road to Char- 
lotte, in North-Carolina, runs eastward ; and on the right there 
was a plantation fenced along the road for half a mile, where 
the Winnsborough road leads out to the right : on the left of the 
road the ground is open and flat for two hundred yards from 
the river, and partially enclosed by a fence, and a hill of wood- 
land, with thick undergrowth, commences and continues two 
hundred yards further along the margin of the road, and thence 
the high ground diverges to the left ; and on the left, about two 
hundred and fifty yards from the road, a deep gully makes out 



HI8T0BY OF GEORGIA, 1780. - 495 

from the river, and leads nearly parallel to the road, along the 
left of the high gronnd. General Snmpter's tent was pitched 
on the left of the road, at the ford; colonel Richard Winn's 
troops, one hundred and twenty-five in number, were encamped 
on the general's left, and upward along the river ; colonel Tay- 
lor's were encamped along the gully, on the left of Winn ; and 
colonels Lacey, Bratton, and Hills' troops, upward of three hun- 
dred men, were encamped on the high ground, in the thick 
wood, about three hundred and fifty yards in front. During 
the day of the 9th, colonels Twiggs and Clarke, and majors 
Chandler and Jackson, with about one hundred Georgia militia ; 
and in the evening, colonel M'Call, with a part of his regiment 
from Long-cane, joined the camp. These two re-enforcements 
occupied the ground between Winn's and Taylor's commands. 
On the morning of the 12th, colonel Thomas Taylor, with fifty 
men, was ordered to proceed toward Winnsborough, to recon- 
noitre the country and gain intelligence of the enemy's move- 
ments. During the day Sumpter called his field officers into 
council, who advised him to retire over Board river, but the gen- 
eral thought otherwise, and kept his ground. Taylor returned 
about midnight, without having gained any information. 

Lord Cornwallis had conceived it practicable to surprise 
Sumpter in his camp ; and for that purpose detached major 
Wemyss, at the head of the 63rd regiment, mounted, and forty 
or fifty dragoons. The people of the country, surrounding 
Sumpter's camp, were generally disaffected to the American 
cause, which enabled Wemyss to obtain correct intelligence of 
his force, and the position of every corps in the encampment, 
and guides to conduct him to the different points. An officer 
with five dragoons, and a guide, was appointed to attack Sump- 
ter in his tent. 

Colonel Winn suggested to some of the officers, the probability 
of the enemy attacking by surprise : he took the precaution to 
order his men to sleep on their arms, and to keep up good fires 
during the night, and to sleep in the rear of their fires ; and 



496 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

pointed out the ground on which they were to form, in case of 
attack. Twiggs and M'Call had taken similar precautions, but 
their ground was not so well calculated for defence. 

About four o'clock in the morning of the 13th, the American 
piquet fired on the British van, and retreated to the camp. 
Twiggs, Winn, and M'Call immediately formed for action. 
Sumpter was in profound sleep, and his orderly neglected to 
awake him on the first alarm; and the party assigned to that 
service, were at his tent before he could put on his coat : he ran 
out, leaped the fence, and escaped by the river bank. 

As soon as the piquet fired, the British advanced in full 
charge into the camp. When the dragoons advanced to the 
fires, before Winn's command, they came to a halt and paused, 
perceiving no enemy, being blinded by the light of the fires. 
Winn's troops having a fine view of them, took a steady aim 
and fired ; the dragoons wheeled about, and in retreat they 
killed a young man by the name of Sealy, a loyalist, who had 
been a prisoner, and liberated the day before. The British in- 
fantry had dismounted, formed, and advanced near the fires, 
and Winn having formed his men behind a fence, and Twigg's 
and M'Call's partially so, they opened their fire, which was 
briskly returned by the enemy for a short time, when they 
charged with the bayonet ; but the fence obstructed their inten- 
tions, where they received a close fire from the Americans, and 
commenced a retreat. Taylor advanced on their flank, and gave 
them three shots from the whole of his troops, during their re- 
treat. On the first advance of the infantry, major Wemyss 
was wounded, and in a short lapse of time, captain Carr gave 
him another shot, of which he fell. AVhen the infantry charged 
with the bayonet, Winn had one man slightly, and captain 
Samuel Carr, of M'Call's regiment mortally wounded. After 
an action of twenty minutes, the British infantry re-mounted 
and retreated. 

Lacey, Bratton, and Hills' corps never fired a shot, fearful 
that they would kill their friends as the action was close, and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 497 

the night very dark. The British loss was considerable : major 
Wemyss was badly wounded ; about twenty were killed, and 
the ground strewed with their wounded. A surgeon, who was 
sent with a flag to take care of them declared, when he returned 
to Winnsborough, that he had never witnessed so much injury 
being done by so few troops in so short a time, since he had 
been in America, as had been sustained by the British troops. 

Sumpter being cut off from his troops, immagined that all 
was lost, and had like to have been frozen ; but on ascending a 
high ground, when it became day-light, he was agreeably dis- 
appointed by a view of his troops in quiet possession of the field 
of battle. 

If Lacey, Bratton, and Hill, had received orders how to at- 
tack ; the whole of the British detachment would have been cap- 
tured; but by the misfortune that befel Sumpter, which was 
unknown to his officers, no one assumed the chief command j 
and of course, there was no unity of action. 

In the British accounts of this skirmish, it is stated that only 
a few shots were fired. Major Wemyss received two wounds,, 
which disabled him from the further performance of his duty^ 
and the command devolved on a young lieutenant, who was un- 
acquainted with the ground, the plan, or the force to be en- 
countered. That all was confusion ; and that the British re- 
tired with the loss of twenty men. 

On the 13th, general Sumpter passed over Broad river and 
encamped at Niam's plantation, on the Enoree : from thence 
he marched down to Shirer's ferry, where there was a British 
post, and menaced it; but the British declined to quit their 
works and come out to battle : thence he moved up the country ; 
and on the 18th, took post at Blackstock's, on the south side of 
the river Tyger, sixty miles from Winnsborough, and thirty- 
five from fish-dam ford, of Broad river. 

Blackstock's house was long and narrow, and of two apart- 
ments of eighteen feet square, with eighteen feet space between, 
and a roof over the whole. In the rear of the house, a few hun- 
32 



498 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

dred yards, is the crossing place of the river Tyger: midway 
from the house to the river, is a hill making down from the 
right, nearly parallel with the house, and terminates at the road : 
the house is on a second elevated ground, below the hill, covered 
with open wood land, and lunating with its concave to the front. 
The road leads from the river by the right of the house, and 
leads directly forward, as the house fronts and descends through 
the field about one hundred yards to a small rivulet ; and near 
the road to the right, is low brush wood ; and on the left a field, 
with the fence on the left, extending a quarter of a mile, in a 
straight direction, where the road divides. The field on the left 
makes a right angle at the house, and the fence runs directly 
to the left, to the low grounds of the river ; on the right of the 
road, opposite to the end of the house, was a small pole build- 
ing. On the second elevation, in the rear of the house, and 
parallel thereto, general Sumpter encamped his troops, and ex- 
pecting that he would be attacked, he assigned to each corps 
their respective ground to act on. 

Colonel Hampton, of Broad river, with his troops was to oc- 
cupy the house : colonel Twiggs, the senior officer under general 
Sumpter, assisted by colonel Clarke, and majors Chandler and 
Jackson, with the Georgia militia, were to occupy the fence 
and wood land to the left of the house : colonels Bratton, Taylor, 
Hill, and M'Call were to occupy the right of the house, with their 
right formed on the curve of the rising ground: this corps was 
to be commanded by the general in person: colonel Lacey was 
appointed to cover the right ; and colonel Winn was to occupy 
the hill, as corps of reserve. Colonel Chandler had been de- 
tached on the march to collect provisions. General Sumpter's 
force consisted of four hundred and twenty men. 

Hearing that Sumpter had crossed Broad river, and calcu- 
lating that his views were on Ninety-six, Cornwallis determined 
to make another blow at him. For this purpose, he ordered 
colonel Tarlton, with his legion, and the 63rd regiment, com- 
manded by major Money, to push Sumpter to the utmost ; and 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 499 

part of the 71st was advanced to Broad river to cover him, if 
it should be needful. Tarlton had a part of his infantry 
mounted, making the whole number on horse-back, four hun- 
dred ; and three hundred infantry marching on foot. Thus 
equipped, he advanced in pursuit of Sumpter with his accus- 
tomed celerity. 

On the morning of the 20th, captain Patrick Carr with a 
few men was ordered to reconnoitre, and had taken three loyal 
militia, unarmed, and two boys who had been to mill, prison- 
ers, and was conducting them to camp. Tarlton came up with 
Carr, who gave him a shot and fled to the camp, leaving the 
prisoners and mill boys behind ; these poor wretches were killed 
by Tarlton, and were what he denominated ''the rebel rear- 
guard which he had taken and cut to pieces." Colonel Chandler, 
with his forage wagons, had just passed Sumpter's piquet, when 
they fired on Tarlton's van : Taylor with his party and wagons, 
ran in with the piquets and were closely pursued by the British 
dragoons as they entered the camp. 

Finding that his infantry moved too slow, Tarlton left them 
to follow, and rapidly advanced with his cavalry and mounted 
infantry: when he received the fire from the piquet, he ordered 
the infantry to dismount, and with the cavalry he made a rapid 
charge through the field, on the Georgians under colonel Twiggs. 
The British infantry advanced, and Sumpter led on the right 
to the attack, and gained their flank. Lacey's men were on 
horse-back, and advanced on the enemy's flank. Tarlton re- 
treated with his cavalry, formed and returned to the charge, and 
thus continued directing his chief efforts with his cavalry, 
against the Georgians, in order to turn the American left. 
When Sumpter had fairly engaged with the right, which fired 
obliquely on the British, he received a shot in the right shoulder : 
he requested his aid-de-camp, captain Henry Hampton, to put 
his sword into the scabbard and to direct a man to lead off his 
horse on which he was mounted, ''say nothing about it, and re- 
quest colonel Twiggs to take the command." 



500 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 

By repeated efforts of the enemy, the Georgians on the left 
were nearly turned, and their left flank gave way: colonel Winn 
advanced to support them. Tarlton was compelled to retire 
with precipitation, and was pursued by a party under major 
James Jackson, which took upward of thirty horses. 

In this battle only one man, by the name of Rogers, from 
Wilkes county, was killed ; and general Sumpter, and two pri- 
vates were wounded. Of the British, ninety-two were killed 
and one hundred wounded ; and Tarlton fled from the field with 
two hundred and eight men : he retreated two miles, where he 
met his remaining three hundred infantry and a piece of can- 
non, and encamped for the night. 

The action closed in the afternoon, and soon afterward it 
began to rain. Colonel Twiggs directed the enemy's wounded 
to be collected ; and as many of them as could be sheltered, were 
laid in the houses. Calculating that Tarlton would renew the 
action with his increased force, Twiggs ordered the troops to 
retreat, and pass the Tyger river, where they would be unassail- 
able ; and left colonel Winn with his command on the battle 
ground until night ; when Winn caused a number of fires to 
be lighted up, as indications of an encampment, and he retreated 
across the river. The ball in Sumpter's shoulder was extracted, 
and he being placed in a bier, suspended on two horses, the 
troops retreated slowly up the country, passing Broad river 
some distance, and dispersing in small parties to refresh them- 
selves on such viands as they could find. Tarlton in his usual 
gasconade, called this defeat ''a victory ;" having cut up the 
''rebel rear-guard ;" this other havock amongst "the rebels," he 
states at "one hundred killed," and of that number, were three 
colonels; while in fact there was only one man killed, and the 
general and two men wounded.* Tarlton acknowledged that 
the Americans had behaved with humanity toward his wounded. 
On his retreat to Winnsborough, he made captive a number 
of old men and stout boys, and carried them to head-quarters, 
* See Tarlton's report to lord Cornwallis in the London Chronicle. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1780. 501 

as trophies won in the recent action; many of his captives how- 
ever, proved their loyalty, and obtained their liberty ; the others 
were doomed to a tedious imprisonment in Camden gaol. In 
order to mark his route of retreat, so that it should be remem- 
bered, he hanged Mr. Johnston, a respectable man, and the 
father of a numerous family of young children. 

To the friends of independence, in South-Carolina and Geor- 
gia, a ray of hope appeared from the north. General Nathaniel 
Greene was hourly expected with re-enforcements of continental 
troops, to take command in the southern department of the 
United-States. The recent actions at Fish-dam ford and Black- 
stocks, inspired the militia with confidence in themselves, when 
opposed to the British troops, especially their cavalry, which 
had before appeared so formidable to them. The time had 
nearly arrived, when it became necessary for every man to re- 
sume his arms and select his party : neutrality had nearly worn 
out, and had become of little use in the protection of property 
or life. The unexampled cruelties and pillage, which had been 
practised and encouraged by the British, had drawn many into 
arms in their favour, however unAvillingly ; fearful that the 
struggles for independence would be unavailing. The best af- 
fected settlement to the cause of independence, in the neighbor- 
hood of Ninety-six, was that of Long-cane ; to which colonels 
Clarke and M'Call turned their attention for recruits to their 
force, and to annoy the enemy about Ninety-six. 

After resting for a few days, near Berwick's iron works, they 
advanced by an upper route toward Long-cane, early in Decem- 
ber, and on the way, were joined by colonel Benjamin Few, 
with a part of the refugees from Georgia : the attention of this 
force was turned toward Ninety-six, and encamped on Long- 
cane creek. Colonel Few being the senior officer, assumed the 
command. The position of the encampment was favourable for 
the augmentation of their numbers, and the prospect was flatter- 
ing that in a short time they would be sufficiently strong to con- 
fine the British within their strong hold. 



502 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

Colonel Cruger, who commanded at Ninety-six, aware of the 
consequences which would result from permitting Few to remain 
unmolested in his position, determined to attack him in his 
camp ; the irregularity of which, he was fully informed of, and 
hoped to take him by surprise. For this purpose, he detached 
lieutenant-colonel Allen with two hundred regular troops, two 
hundred loyalists, and fifty dragoons. The enemy were within 
three miles of Few's camp before he was apprized of their ap- 
proach. Colonel Clarke, lieutenant-colonel M'Call, and major 
Lindsey, with one hundred Georgia and Carolina militia, were 
ordered to meet the enemy, commence the action, and sustain 
it until the main body could be brought up to their assistance. 
They advanced about one mile and a half and engaged the 
enemy's front, which was composed of royal militia. The action 
was lively for a short time, and Clarke sent an express to Few 
to hasten the march of the main body. In about ten minutes 
the loyalists retreated, some of them fled, and the remainder 
formed in the rear of the regular troops. Clarke received a 
wound in the shoulder, which was at first supposed to be mortal, 
and he was carried off the field. 

Colonel Allen ordered the loyalists to commence and sustain 
the attack, until the regular troops were formed : when this was 
effected, the bayonet was presented and the loyalists were or- 
dered to form in the rear and turn upon the American flanks. 
About this time, M'Call was wounded in the arm, and his horse 
killed, and he was so entangled by the horse falling upon him, 
that he narrowly escaped. The Americans retreated and were 
charged by the enemy's dragoons. Major Lindsey had fallen 
under three wounds, and was left on the ground ; in that con- 
dition, captain Lang, of dragoons, fell upon him while he lay 
on the ground, chopped his head and arms in several places, 
and cut off one of his hands. 

Fourteen Americans were killed, and seven wounded. Sev- 
eral of the wounded were killed, who lay upon the ground and 
were unable to make resistance : which accounts for the number 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 503 

of wounded being less than that of the slain. The loss of the 
enemy was very trifling, and is not accurately known. 

When the remains of colonel Clarke's command returned to 
the camp, they found colonel Few and the main body of the 
troops under orders for retreat, and ready to move off, without 
giving any previous intimation to those in advance, of such in- 
tention. Some harsh observations were made by some of the 
officers who had been engaged, relative to Few's courage ; 
whether correct on that occasion is unknown : he had previously 
given proofs of courage and good conduct. He justified him- 
self by saying, that the intelligence he received after colonel 
Clarke was engaged, induced a belief that the force of the enemy 
was so far superior to his own, that it would have been impru- 
dent to have met them in a general engagement: but this was 
not considered as a justification for withholding from Clarke a 
notice of his intentions, or of making an effort to secure his re- 
treat. The American force was five hundred men ; the British 
was four hundred and fifty. 

Colonel Clarke was placed upon a bier, supported by two 
horses, and with great difficulty conveyed to a place of safety. 
The Americans retreated to North Carolina, and during the 
confinement of colonel Clarke, by his wound, major John Cun- 
ningham commanded the Georgia troops. 

Colonel Pickens, and other influential characters in Ninety- 
six district, had been urged to the resumption of their arms in 
the American cause. To these remonstrances, Pickens replied 
that his honour was pledged, and that he was bound by the so- 
lemnity of an oath, not to take up arms until the conditions of 
that protection were violated by the British, or those who acted 
under the royal government. But the time now approached, 
when the order of the British commander-in-chief was to be 
promulgated generally, its operations rigorously enforced, and 
neutrality no longer admissible. All those who refused to take 
up arms in support of the British government, were plundered 
of their property by parties of loyalists and British troops. Cap- 



504 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

tain Dunlop's dragoons, united with parties of loyalists, made a 
general sweep over the country. Colonel Pickens' house was 
plundered of moveable property, and the remainder wantonly 
destroyed. M' Call's family was left without a change of cloth- 
ing or bedding, and a halter put round the neck of one of his 
sons, by order of Dunlop, with threats of execution, to extort 
secrets of which the youth was ignorant. The conditions of 
protection were now broken on the part of the British, and 
colonel Pickens with many of his officers and men, determined 
to resume their arms in the defence of their property and the 
rights of their country. After this determination was taken 
by colonel Pickens, he had an interview with captain Ker, a 
British officer, at White-hall, to whom he made a disclosure of 
his intentions, and assigned his reasons. Ker strongly advised 
him against the measure, assuring him that his execution was 
certain in case he should thereafter fall into the hands of the 
British, and that he would literally fight with a halter around 
his neck: that though their countries were at war, he had given 
him proofs of personal friendship, and ardently hoped he might 
never fall into the power of the British government. Colonel 
Pickens replied, that he had honourably and conscientiously 
adhered to the rules laid down in his protection, but that he 
considered himself completely absolved from its obligations, by 
the plunder and wanton waste which had been committed upon 
his farm, and the insults and indignities which had been offered 
to his family. Captain Ker was requested to communicate 
these remarks to colonel Cruger, the commanding-officer at 
Ninety-six, and to thank him for his civilities, while he was 
under the protection of the British government. 

This state of things was communicated to the commanding- 
officer of the Georgia troops, who made another diversion into 
the neighbourhood of ]S[inety-six to favor the assemblage of 
Pickens and his friends in that quarter. From the friendly 
disposition which general Williamson had evinced to the fam- 
ilies of those who had espoused and adhered to the cause of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 505 

their coiintrj, the reality of his attachment to the royal govern- 
ment was considered doubtful ; Pickens and the other chiefs 
determined to seize his person ; Avhich was accomplished at Wil- 
liamson's residence, at White-hall, by a small party, who con- 
veyed him to the encampment on Long-cane : his defection was 
ascertained ; and by negligence, he was suffered to make his 
escape. 

Pickens being the senior colonel in ISTinety-six district, suc- 
ceeded Williamson in the rank of brigadier-general, and directed 
the march of the troops toward Pacolate river, and joined gen- 
eral Morgan at Grindal's ford. Lieutenant-colonel M'Call was 
ordered to make a selection of forty-five men, to be equipped as 
dragoons, in which there were several Georgians, to act with 
colonel Washington's regiment. Major John Cunningham com- 
manded the Georgia troops, under the orders of general Morgan. 

Morgan detached colonel Washington with his regiment, with 
those enrolled by lieutenant-colonel M'Call and major Cunning- 
ham, with the Georgia troops, into the neighbouring country, to 
disperse some parties of the enemy. Frequent skirmishes oc- 
curred ; and on one occasion he came up with a party of two 
hundred and fifty loyalists, at Hammond's old store, forty 
miles from Morgan's camp, and charged them : nearly two hun- 
dred of the enemy were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. 

When general Morgan learned that Tarleton was advancing 
on him, he recalled Washington to his head-quarters, at Grindal's 
ford ; and believing that Tarleton would attempt to gain his 
rear, he retreated across the Pacolate on the 14th of January, 
toward the Cowpens, where he arrived on the evening of the 
16th; and finding that Tarleton was gaining on him, he deter- 
mined to repose his troops and wait the event. 

Morgan's corps was composed of the 1st regiment of Mary- 
land, of near four hundred men, commanded by lieutenant- 
colonel Howard ; the militia companies of captains Triplet and 
Tait, which were equal to regular troops, and consisted of about 
one hundred men ; Washington's dragoons, consisting of eighty 



506 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

men, with M'Call's militia dragoons, forty-five in number; and 
three hundred and fifty of the Georgia and North and South- 
Carolina militia, commanded by general Pickens ; making a 
total of nine hundred and seventy-five men. 

Before day-light Morgan's videttes gave notice of Tarleton's 
approach; and the order of battle was immediately formed on 
an elevated ground, in an open wood, with a slight hollow way 
passing through it from left to right: the first corps was com- 
posed of the militia, under general Pickens, and formed in ad- 
vance of the hollow way about two hundred yards ; from this 
corps two others of select troops were formed, one of Georgians, 
under major Cunningham, and the other from the North and 
South-Carolinas, under major M'Dowell, and placed one hun- 
dred and fifty yards in advance of the first corps ; the second 
corps was composed of the Maryland regiment, Triplet's and 
Tait's companies, and captain Beale's company of Georgia 
militia ; which was formed fifty yards in advance of the hollow 
way, with Triplet's, Tait's, and Beale's on the right ; and the 
third corps under colonel Washington, composed of his dragoons, 
and those of M'Call, was formed in the rear of the hollow way 
behind an eminence, and held in reserve. The custom of militia 
warfare, was to get behind trees where they could shelter their 
bodies and fire from the side ; general Morgan ordered them to 
adopt this mode, and when charged by the enemy's cavalry, that 
two should hold their fire in reserve. General Morgan was as- 
sured, that the militia who were present would do their duty, 
so far as it was practicable when acting against regular troops, 
as their officers had witnessed their bravery on former occa- 
sions. 

Tarleton's corps was composed of two hundred and fifty of 
the legion cavalry, the legion and light infantry, some artiller- 
ists, with two four pounders, the 7th regiment, and a battalion 
of the 71st regiment ; making a total of one thousand select in- 
fantry and artillery, and two hundred and fifty cavalry: his line 
of march was his order of battle ; the light and legion infantry. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 507 

and the 7tli regiment, with the artillery in the centre, with a 
captain and fifty dragoons on each flank, composed his van, and 
the battalion of the 71st regiment, and one hundred and fifty 
dragoons, composed his rear and reserve. 

Early in the morning of the 17th, the British van pursued 
their march until they approached within one hundred and fifty 
yards of the American advanced corps, under Cunningham and 
M'Dowell: Tarleton ordered his van to display, and before the 
line was completely formed, he ordered it to advance and com- 
mence the action, without waiting for his reserve to come up 
and take their station. From his superior numbers, and the 
quality of his troops, he calculated on a certain and easy victory. 

The American advanced corps, under Cunningham and 
M'Dowell, opened their fire and supported it with animation, 
imder a brisk fire from the British, until the bayonet was pre- 
sented, when they retired and took their posts in the intervals 
left for them, in the front line under Pickens. The British ad- 
vanced, firing, and with loud shouts for approaching victory: 
Pickens received them with a firmness, with which they were 
unaccustomed from that description of troops, until the British 
charged them with the l)ayonet ; when Pickens ordered a retreat 
to the post assigned to them, on the left of the continental troops. 
As the militia retreated, they were charged by the British light 
dragoons of the advance ; by which they were unable to form on 
the left, and they continued to retreat toward the reserve under 
Washington. Howard received the British van with firmness; 
a warm fire ensued, and the advance of the enemy was not with 
such a quick step. At this time the British reserve had got up, 
and were ordered by Tarleton to advance and turn Howard's 
right : Howard ordered Triplet, Tait, and Beale, to wheel back- 
ward on their left, and face the turning enemy ; but this order 
being misunderstood, the whole of the second corps faced about 
and retired in good order. Morgan perceiving the movement of 
the continental troops, and that they were retiring in good order 
and undismayed, and conjecturing the movement to have origi- 



508 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

nated in mistake, rode up to Howard and in a loud tone of 
voice, pointing to the rising ground in the rear of the hollow 
wav, informed him that was the ground which he wished him 
to occupy, and to face about. The British perceiving that the 
continental troops retreated, shouted victory, and advanced 
rapidly and in disorder, within thirty yards of Howard's rear, 
when that officer ordered his troops to face about and fire : this 
turn of Howard's, so unexpected by the enemy, caused their 
fears to take the place of the joy with which his retreat had 
inspired them : the moment was critical, and Howard ordered 
the drums to beat the charge — the inspiring roll was promptly 
obeyed : Morgan ordered the reserve to advance and charge the 
British dragoons, who were cutting the militia, which was 
obeyed with promptness and effect ; the militia rallied and ad- 
vanced on Howard's right, and faced the enemy's reserve ; the 
British infantry, of the van, retreated in confusion ; the corps 
of artillery, with two pieces of cannon, were taken ; Howard 
turned upon the British infantry of reserve, who surrendered, 
and major M' Arthur, the chief of the battalion of the 71st regi- 
ment, yielded his sword to general Pickens ; and major James 
Jackson, of Georgia, who acted as major of brigade to Pickens, 
accompanied M'x\rthur and introduced him to general Morgan. 
The retiring enemy were pressed in pursuit : the defeat was so 
sudden, that the British cavalry of reserve had never been 
brought into action, and remained unbroken: Washington at- 
tacked them, and for a short time the contest was severe and 
bloody; Howard advanced, and the remainder of the enemy fled 
with precipitation. It was Washington's custom, to be in ad- 
vance of his troops in the day of battle ; perceiving that he was 
near forty yards ahead, with only a small waiter near him, 
Tarleton with two of his officers, wheeled on him: Washington 
broke his sword, and was defending himself; the waiter drew 
a pistol and wounded one of them, and sergeant-major Perry 
advancing to the relief of his colonel, parried a cut which was 
made at him, and disabled the sword-arm of the officer. Tarle- 
ton aimed a thrust at Washington, which was parried; upon 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 509 

which Tarleton wheeled and discharged a pistol at him, and 
wounded his horse. The pursuit was continued several miles. 

The British sustained a loss of ten commissioned officers, and 
above a hundred non-commissioned officers and privates killed ; 
and nearly two hundred, of all ranks, wounded ; and upward 
of six hundred, including the wounded, were taken prisoners. 
Two field pieces, eight hundred muskets, two stand of colours, 
thirty-five baggage waggons, and one hundred dragoon horses, 
fell into the possession of the victors. 

The American loss, on this occasion, was eleven men killed, 
and sixty-one wounded ; of the former, three, and of the latter, 
five, were Georgians. 

The position of Cornwallis, on Turkey creek, was thirty 
miles from the Cowpens, whither Tarleton had promised to 
escort general Morgan to dinner: the two positions were equi- 
distant from Ramshauer's mill, on the south fork of the Catawba 
river, where Morgan must pass in retreat, by the upper route; 
and from the rapidity of Tarleton's movement, calculations 
were made that Cornwallis would be apprised of the defeat in 
three hours. There was no time to be lost: Morgan left the 
wounded on the field of battle, under the protection of a flag, 
with surgeons and nurses to take care of them ; destroyed the 
baggage he had taken, and commenced a rapid retreat, directing 
the militia to take charge of the prisoners, and proceed higher 
up toward the mountains. 

After the action, colonel Howard, in conversing with major 
M' Arthur, expressed his surprise at the precipitate, desultory 
manner, in which the British troops were brought into action; 
the gallant Scot observed, "that nothing better could have been 
expected, when troops were commanded by a rash foolish boy." 

Majors Cunningham and Jackson, with the Georgia troops, 
continued under the command of general Pickens, and were en- 
gaged in several skirmishes during the march of general Greene 
through North-Carolina, and the destruction of a party of loyal- 
ists at Haw river, who were assembling under colonel Piles to 
join lord Cornwallis. 



CHAPTER XII. 

GEN'ERAL PICKEN^S was ordered to return to South- 
Carolina, and endeavour to narrow the limits of the 
British at Ninetj-six, and was joined on his march by 
colonel Elijah Clarke, who had recovered from his wound. As 
Pickens was pursuing his march, he received intelligence that 
major Dunlop, with seventy-five British dragoons, had been 
detached from Ninety-six into the country, on a foraging party : 
Pickens detached Clarke and M'Call, with a suitable force, to 
attack him. On the 21st of March they came up with Dunlop, 
who had halted at Beattie's mill, on Little river. Clarke sent 
a party to take possession of a bridge, over which Dunlop must 
pass in retreat, and with the main body advanced and attacked 
him by surprise. Dunlop retired into the mill and some out- 
houses, but which were too open for defence against riflemen ; 
recollecting, however, his outrageous conduct to the families 
and friends of those by whom he was attacked, he resisted for 
several hours, until thirty-four of his men were killed and 
wounded ; himself among the latter ; when a flag was hung out 
and they surrendered. Dunlop died the ensuing night. The 
British account of this affair, stated that Dunlop was murdered 
by the guard after he had surrendered; but such was not the 
fact, however much he deserved such treatment. 

Having received intelligence of the battle at Guilford Court- 
house, and of the intentions of general Greene to advance into 
South-Carolina, Clarke proceeded into Georgia with his troops, 
accompanied by M'Call and a part of his regiment from South- 
Carolina. About the 12th of April, both these officers were 
seized with the small pox : Clarke took a retired situation, with 
a suitable guard, until he recovered ; during which time, the 
command of the Georgia troops was confided to lieutenant- 
colonel Micajah Williamson. M'Call returned into Carolina, 
and died under the disease. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 511 

When the Georgians returned into their country, they dis- 
persed into parties of ten and twelve men each, so as to spread 
themselves over the settlements, and appointed Dennis' mill, on 
Little river, for the place of rendezvous. When these small 
parties entered the settlements where they had formerly resided, 
general devastation was presented to their view; their aged 
fathers, and youthful brothers, had been hanged and murdered ; 
their decrepid grandfathers were incarcerated in prisons, where 
most of them had been suffered to perish in filth, famine, or 
disease ; and their mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, and young 
children, had been robbed, insulted, and abused ; and were found 
by them in temporary huts, more resembling a savage camp 
than a civilized habitation. The indignant sigh burst from the 
heart of the war-worn veteran, and the manly tear trickled down 
his cheek, as he embraced his suffering relatives. There is 
damning proof of the truth of this unvarnished tale ; and the 
reader may imagine the feelings of the Georgian of that day, 
and the measure of his resentment. Mercy to a loyalist who 
bad been active in outrage, became inadmissible, and retaliative 
carnage ensued. 

Captains Johnston and M'Kay, with a few active militia, had 
taken a position in the swamp of Savannah river, and were em- 
ployed in watching the communication between Augusta and 
Savannah. They had frequently intercepted boats, laden with 
provisions and other stores, which they took and secured or de- 
stroyed. Colonel Brown detached an officer, with twenty-five 
regular troops and twenty militia, to dislodge them. M'Kay 
hearing of the advance of the party, took an advantageous posi- 
tion near Matthews' bluff, and attacked them, though much su- 
perior in number to his own, killed the officer and fifteen of his 
men, and compelled the remainder to retreat precipitately to 
Augusta. 

Hearing that the Americans had entered Georgia, and that 
colonel Harden, with a body of American militia, was in the 
neighbourhood of Coosawhatchie, colonel Brown ordered his 



512 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

provincials to repair to Augusta to defend it ; but they were so 
covered with crimes, that they had no inclination to be cooped 
up in a garrison ; fearing that they might be taken by assault, 
and receive the punishment due to them for their former of- 
fences : many of them fled to the Indians, and joined them in 
warfare against the frontier settlements. When Brown had col- 
lected his troops, he determined to strike at Harden, and se- 
lected such regular troops, militia, and Indians, as the safety 
of the post would admit, and marched for that purpose : he de- 
tached a party under captain Wylly, into Carolina to recon- 
noitre, which approached Harden's camp and retired, with in- 
formation to Brown of Harden's advancing on him, and request- 
ing him to hasten his march. Brown was joined by Wylly, and 
encamped in a field, at Wiggins' hill, for the night. Harden 
was joined by Johnston and M'Kay, and had advanced within 
a mile of the place where he encamped, not knowing of the near 
approach of Brown ; but in a few hours he was informed of it, 
and advanced to attack him by surprise. Brown had been ap- 
prised by Wylly of the dangerous position which he had taken, 
and that it was necessary, when opposing an officer of Harden's 
enterprise, to be on the alert ; but Brown, always imprudent, 
and possessing no quality of an officer but courage, retired to a 
house a few hundred yards distant from his camp, and went to 
pleep. By some intelligence, Brown's officers were apprised of 
Harden's approach, and were forming their ranks, when Har- 
den's troops commenced the attack. The contest lasted half an 
hour, when overpowered by superiority of numbers and disci- 
pline. Harden was compelled to retreat, which he effected in 
good order, and carried off his wounded. 

The American loss was seven killed and eleven wounded ; 
amongst the latter, was captain Johnston. The loss of the enemy 
was about equal to that of the Americans. Colonel Harden re- 
treated to an island in Coosawhatchie swamp, where the wounded 
were left until they recovered. William Bawls, Cotton Bawls, 
and Leonard Tanner furnished them for some time with pro- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 513 

visions and other necessaries ; but unfortunately, Tanner was 
taken prisoner by some neighbouring loyalists, while he was 
engaged in this service, and murdered because he would not dis- 
cover the place where the wounded were concealed. 

Several prisoners were taken after the skirmish at Wiggins' 
hill, by parties of the enemy detached by Brown: one of them 
by the name of Wylly, who had piloted Brown's detachment to 
Matthews' bluff, and whom they alleged, had treacherously led 
the detachment into that difficulty: on the bare supposition, 
Brown turned him over to the Indians, who ripped him open 
with their knives in his presence, ^nd tortured him to death. 

Mrs. M'Kay, a widow, had fled with her family, from her 
residence at Darien, in Georgia, into South-Carolina, for 
refuge: her elder son, Rannal M'Kay, a youth of seventeen 
years of age, was with Harden at Wiggins' hill, and was taken 
prisoner. Mrs. M'Kay, hearing of the captivity of her son, re- 
paired to Brown's camp, having furnished herself with some 
refreshments, which she intended to present to Brown, as a mean 
of obtaining more ready access. Brown received the refresh- 
ments, but turned a deaf ear to her entreaties, and would not 
permit her to have an interview with her son, whose fate she 
already foresaw: she was forced without the centries. Captain 
Eannal M'Kinnon, a Scots officer, who was a soldier of honour, 
and unused to murderous warfare, remonstrated with Brown 
against hanging the youth, and gave Mrs. M'Kay some assur- 
ances that her son would be safe. Brovvra returned that night 
and encamped at Wiggins' hill, and caused a pen to be made of 
fence rails, about three feet high, in which he placed his prison- 
ers, and covered it over with the same materials. Mrs. M'Kay 
had followed to the camp, but was not permitted to enter it ; and 
captain M'Kinnon, the advocate of humanity, was ordered on 
command. 

On the ensuing morning, the prisoners, Eannal M'Kay, Brit- 
ton Williams, George Smith, George Eeed, and a Frenchman, 
whose name is not known, were ordered forth to the gallows ; 
33 



514 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

and after hanging until they were nearly dead, they were cut 
down and delivered to the Indians, who scalped them and other- 
wise abused their bodies in their accustomed savage manner. 

The fate of young M'Kay inspired his brother, a youth of 
fifteen, to join his countrymen and add his strength in avenging 
the murder of his brother. 

On the 16th of April, lieutenant-colonel Williamson's detach- 
ment assembled at the appointed rendezvous, on Little river, 
and marched to Augusta, where he was joined by colonel Baker, 
with the southern militia ; and by captains Dunn and Irwin, 
with a few men from Burke county. Colonel Hammond and 
major James Jackson, were employed in embodying the militia 
of Carolina, near Augusta, and joined them a few days after- 
ward. Notwithstanding the exertions of those officers, their as- 
sembled force was but little superior in numbers to their ad- 
versary, and vastly inferior in discipline and military equip- 
ment, 

Williamson took a position at twelve hundred yards distance 
from the British fortifications, and fortified his camp ; and by 
the exaggerated reports which Brown received of his strength, 
he was deterred from attacking him. If Brown had moved out 
and attacked him, the issue would probably have been favour- 
able to the British, as they had the advantage of artillery. 

Augusta was placed in a state of blockade until the middle of 
May, when the troops became discouraged by the delay of the 
expected assistance, and were on the point of abandoning their 
ground. Major Jackson had been accustomed to harrangue the 
militia in their hours of difficulty and despondence, and on this 
occasion his enthusiastic eloquence bad the desired effect, and 
retained them at their post. About the 15th of May, colonel 
Clarke had so far recovered from the small pox as to resume 
his command, and brought a re-enforcement of one hundred 
men to the camp. 

About the time of Clarke's arrival, major Dill collected a 
party of loyalists, with intention of joining Brown and forcing 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 515 

the Americans to raise the siege. Clarke detached captains 
Shelby and Carr, with a party of mountaineers and Georgians, 
to advance on Dill ; whom they attacked by surprise, at Walker's 
bridge, on Brier creek ; killed and wounded a number, and dis- 
persed the rest, without sustaining any loss. 

When Clarke believed himself secure against the necessity of 
a retreat, he sent the horses of his troops, with a guard of six 
men, to Beech island, below Augusta, where there was plenty 
of forage to be had : Brown was informed of this circumstance, 
and sent a detachment of regular troops, militia, and Indians, 
down on the river bank, and in canoes, to cut off the guard and 
briug off the horses. Clarke was apprised of the detachment, 
and ordered Shelby and Carr in pursuit of it. Brown's detach- 
ment succeeded in the enterprise, murdered the guard, and 
were returning with the booty ; when Shelby and Carr, informed 
of the result, lay wait in a thicket, near Mrs. Bugg's planta- 
tion, and attacked them ; and following the example which had 
just been set before them by the enemy, they spared the life of 
none who fell into their hands: nearly half of the detachment 
of the enemy were killed, and the rest ran away, and the prop- 
erty recovered without loss. 

-Clarke was unfurnished with cannon, but had picked up an 
old four pounder in the field, which had been thrown away by 
the British; believing it might be converted to use, he had it 
mounted, and employed a black-smith to form pieces of iron into 
the shape of balls ; and commenced his approaches by construct- 
ing a battery at four hundred yards distance from Grierson's 
fort, and placed his gun upon it. Powder was so scarce, that 
orders were given not to use it when the sword could be sub- 
stituted, lie sent an express to general Pickens, stating his 
situation, and requesting assistance. 

General Pickens, with about four hundred men of Ander- 
son's regiment, was mancBuvering between Augusta and Ninety- 
six to prevent the garrison of that place from re-enforcing 
Brown. Colonels Branham and Hayes, were hovering on the 



516 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

eastward of jSTinety-six to recruit their forces and intercept sup- 
plies. Colonel Haves, with forty-five men, was attacked by a 
detachment of provincials from Ninety-six, commanded by 
major Cunningham, and after defending himself in a house 
until resistance was useless, he surrendered on conditions, as 
prisoners of war: their arms were to be left in the house, and 
his men were to march out and surrender ; which being done, 
they were every man murdered. 

The Indians had re-commenced hostilities on the frontier 
of Georgia and South-Carolina, which obliged general Pickens 
to weaken his force, by detachments against them and the loyal 
refugees. Pickens had informed general Greene of the situ- 
ation of things at Augusta, and requested aid, which was prom- 
ised him. 

Colonel Henry Lee's legion consisted of three troops of cav- 
alry, commanded by captains Egleston, O'Neal, and Armstrong, 
and three companies of infantry, commanded by captains 
Carnes, Eudulph, and Handy. He was joined by major Eaton, 
with part of a battalion of North-Carolina militia, and after 
the reduction of fort Granby, in South-Carolina, was ordered 
to form a junction with Pickens and Clarke, at Augusta. After 
a rapid march of seventy-five miles, in less than three days, Lee 
reached the vicinity of Augusta. He had kept in his front 
captain Ferdinand O'Neal, with a detachment of dragoons, to 
collect provisions for his legion and acquire intelligence. From 
this active officer he received the pleasing information of the 
arrival of the royal annual presents at fort Galphin, on the 
north side of Savannah river, twelve miles below Augusta, for 
the Cherokee and Creek Indians. The boats containing the 
goods had a small guard, who had been attacked by some Ameri- 
can militia, ordered from Augusta for that purpose, and had 
driven them into the fort ; but their number was not sufficient 
to dislodge them, and the boats lay under cover of the fort. 
Colonel Lee filed off with captain Rudulph's company, some 
other detachments of the legion, and a field piece, to take pos- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 517 

session of this valuable prize, consisting of ammunition, salt, 
rum, and many other articles very much wanted by the Ameri- 
can army. 

The fort was a small stockade around Galphin's house, gar- 
risoned by two companies of colonel Brown's infantry. Lee 
had taken such precautions, that neither Brown nor the com- 
manding-officer at fort Gralphin, had any knowledge of his ap- 
proach, which he hastened by mounting the infantry behind 
his dragoons. By a rapid march, he reached the vicinity of the 
fort early in the morning of the 21st of May, and halted in a 
pine barren, skirting a field which surrounded the fort : and 
here prepared for the assault. Prefering stratagem to the ex- 
posure of his troops, he dismounted some of his militia, who 
were ordered to make a feint attack in an opposite direction 
from his main body, with the hope of drawing out a consider- 
able portion of the garrison in pursuit of them. Captain Ru- 
dulph was ordered to rush upon the fort, while the remainder 
of his infantry, supported by a troop of dragoons, were ordered 
to shield his militia from the enemy. The whole plan suc- 
ceeded without the loss of a man, except one who died from 
fatigue, and the garrison with its contents and the valuable In- 
dian stores, fell into his hands. Three or four of the enemy 
were killed, and a few escaped who took to the woods. Major 
Eaton, with the residue of Lee's legion, formed a junction with 
general Pickens at the Cherokee ponds, six miles from Augusta. 
After the reduction of fort Galphin, colonel Lee detached major 
Eggleston, with the cavalry, with orders to cross Savannah 
river at Wallicon's ferry, three miles below Augusta, and form 
a junction with general Pickens and colonel Clarke. When 
Eggleston reached Augusta, he summoned Brown to surrender, 
informing him of the near approach of a formidable force 
from general Greene's army, under the command of colonel 
Lee, and the investure of Ninety-six. Colonel Brown treated 
the flag with contempt, refused to give a written answer to the 
letter, and requested that communications upon that subject 
might not be repeated. 



518 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

The town of Augusta is situated on the south side of Savan- 
nah river, upon a level plain, which terminates in thick low 
woods, interspersed with swamps and lagunes. Fort Corn- 
wallis, which was the principal work, was situate on the north- 
west side of the town, about two hundred yards from its centre, 
and about one hundred from the river, having a complete com- 
mand of the ground to the water's edge, and in every other 
direction, to the distance of eight hundred yards. To the west 
is a lagune, which communicates through a deep gully with the 
river. On the western margin of this gully was fort Grierson, 
about half a mile west of fort Cornwallis. 

On the 23rd of May a junction was formed by Pickens, Lee, 
and Clarke: after reconnoitering the ground and the British 
works, it was determined to dislodge Grierson, and to destroy 
or intercept him in his retreat to fort Cornwallis ; and arrange- 
ments were accordingly made without loss of time for execut- 
ing the plan. General Pickens and colonel Clarke were to at- 
tack the fort upon the north-west, with the militia ; major 
Eaton's battalion, and some Georgia militia under major Jack- 
son, were to pass down the river and attack the work upon the 
north-east ; while Lee, with his infantry and artillery, took a 
position south of the fort, so as to support Eaton or keep Brown 
in check if he should make a sortie to save Grierson's command, 
in case he should attempt to evacuate his work, and retreat to 
fort Cornwallis. The cavalry under Eggleston were posted in 
the skirt of the woods, to the south of Lee, ready to fall upon 
Brown's rear if he attempted to sally out. 

Discovering that Grierson was in a critical situation. Brown 
drew out a part of his command and advanced with two field 
pieces, with the appearance of giving battle, to save Grierson, 
who was warmly assailed by Pickens and Eaton: Lee opposed 
Brown, counteracted his plan, and confined his interposition 
to a distant cannonade, without much effect on either side. 
Grierson finding that resistance would be vain, determined to 
evacuate his fortress and throw his command into fort Corn- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 17S1. 519 

wallis. With this view he threw open the gate, passed down 
the gully to the river hank, and under cover of it, some of his 
troops escaped into the fort. 

In this hazardous retreat, thirty of Grierson's men were 
killed, and forty-five wounded and taken prisoners: among the 
former was his major. Grierson was killed by one of the 
Georgia riflemen after he had surrendered, in consequence of 
his having rendered himself peculiarly odious to the Georgians 
by his cruel practices. A reward was offered by the American 
commanders for apprehending the person who shot him, but no 
one made the discovery. The imagination need not be much 
wearied in conjecturing by whom this act was committed, when 
it is turned to the treatment received by the venerable Alex- 
ander. Among the Americans who fell, was the gallant major 
Eaton, who had on all occasions sought the post of danger. 

Brown finding that he would be closely invested, applied 
himself to strengthen his fortress; and every part which re- 
quired amendment was repaired with industry: he placed the 
aged Alexander, and others who had been long in captivity, in 
one of the bastions most exposed to the fire of the rifle batteries ; 
one of which was manned by captain Samuel Alexander's com- 
pany : thus the father was exposed to be killed by the hand of 
his son; but he escaped uninjured. 

The preparations, on the part of the enemy, could not be 
counteracted. The Americans had but one field piece, and 
all that could be done was by close investure and regular ap- 
proaches ; therefore, all the tools which could be collected from 
the neighbouring farms, were brought into camp, and with 
those taken at fort Galphin, the Americans commenced their 
approaches near the river bank, extending it towards the ene- 
my's left. 

"The condition of the enemy's wounded, required medicine 
and hospital stores, which could not be furnished from the 
American camp. The senior officer solicited permission to send 
a flag to colonel Brown for a supply. The American command- 



520 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

ers had no hesitancy in granting the request, but they disliked 
the idea of subjecting their flag to a second insult; recollect- 
ing the answer given by colonel Brown to major Eggleston. 
The principles of humanity however prevailed, and a British 
officer was permitted to be the bearer of the flag, and a letter 
from Pickens and Lee, assuring Brown that no consideration 
aifecting themselves or their troops, would have led to the con- 
descension of renewing a correspondence, which he had lately 
rejected with so much insolence and contempt. Brown returned 
a polite answer by the prisoner, excusing himself by refering to 
S(mie previous altercations with colonel Clarke. 

Colonel Lee suggested the plan of raising a sort of tower, 
such as he had used to great advantage in the reduction of fort 
Watson, in South-Carolina. It was simply a square pen of 
logs, raised about thirty feet high and filled with combustibles ; 
proof against the enemy's artillery, and sufficient to sustain a 
six pounder. The tower was thrown up under cover of an old 
framed house, which Brown had suffered to remain near the 
fort. On the night of the 28th, Brown sent out a detachment 
to force the Americans from their works : the onset was vigor- 
ous, and the guard was forced to retreat. Captain Handy met 
the enemy in the ditch, and for a few minutes the conflict was 
obstinate: Llandy pressed the bayonet, and forced the enemy 
to retreat to the fort. Lee's infantry, after this sortie, were 
exclusively employed in defending the American works at 
night. Another attempt was made the succeeding night in the 
same quarter, and for a considerable time the struggle for the 
possession of the ditches was about equal. Captain Rudulph 
re-enforced the guard, cleared the trenches with the bayonet, 
and forced the enemy, with some loss, to make a precipitate re^ 
treat. 

On the 1st of June the tower was raised as hioh as the ene- 
my's works, and Brown anticipating the fatal consequences 
which would result from its completion ; directed his attention 
to the destruction of it. On the other hand, the besiegers deter- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 521 

mined to oppose their whole force against any effort which 
might be made to drive them from their works. 

Pickens took command of one division of the militia in per- 
son, supported by Handy's company of infantry ; and Clarke 
took command of the other, supported by Rudulph's. About 
ten o'clock at night, Clarke's division were charged upon by 
about one third of the British troops : the conflict was furious 
for some time ; Rudulph presented the bayonet, and the enemy 
retired. While this detachment was engaged against Clarke 
and Rudulph, Brown sallied out with his remaining force 
against Pickens, where the contest was equally severe, until 
Handy pressed the bayonet, which forced Brown to retreat. 
Upon this occasion, the loss on both sides exceeded all which 
had occurred during the siege, except in the evacuation of fort 
Grierson. 

Finding that the work of the besiegers could not be destroyed 
by fair combat, Brown resorted to stratagem. He sent out a 
Scotch sergeant, under the cloak of desertion, with instructions 
to use the most effectual means that occurrences might present, 
to burn do%vn the tower. The house standing between it and 
the fort had been intentionally left undemolished by Brown, 
imagining that it might be blown up when occupied by the 
American troops. Preparatory to this plan, Brown had opened 
the communication to the house, and placed under it the neces- 
sary quan+ity of powder. The pretended deserter suggested 
some new plans in using the tower more advantageously, by 
blowing up the magazine of the besieged ; but Lee was suspicious 
of him, and ordered him to be withdrawn and put in charge of 
the quarter guard. Early in the night, all the houses in the 
vicinity of the fort were burned by Brown, except two, under 
one of which the infernal machine was placed. The houses 
were examined in the night by order of Pickens, supposing that 
riflemen could be advantageously placed in their upper stories, 
wheu the assault was made upon the besieged: Brown imagin- 
ing from the preparations of the besiegers, that the assault was 



522 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

to be made at the dawn of the next day, and that the militia 
riflemen were already in the house, blew it up about three 
o'clock. Fortunately for the riflemen, they had not yet taken 
possession of the houses, consequently no lives were lost. 

On the 31st of May, Brown had been summoned to surrender, 
but he replied that it was his duty and inclination to defend 
the place to the last extremity. On the morning of the 3rd of 
June, another opportunity was afforded him, which he also 
rejected. 

During the day an incessant and galling fire was kept up 
from the rifle batteries, which were raised so high as to enable 
the besiegers to unman the field pieces, and drive the enemy 
from the opposite bastions. The six pounder in the tower, had 
dismounted the enemies artillery, and rendered it useless. They 
were obliged to dig vaults in the ground within the fort, to 
secure themselves from the fire of the American riflemen. The 
morning of the 4th, at nine o'clock, was destined for the as- 
sault: as the hour approached, and columns were arrayed wait- 
ing the signal to advance, a British officer appeared with a flag, 
and presented a letter at the margin of the trenches, addressed 
to general Pickens and colonel Lee, offering to surrender upon 
conditions, detailed in the communication. Some of the articles 
were exceptionable, and others were substituted and submitted 
to Brown as an ultimatum. The discussion produced one day's 
delay, which was gratifying to Brown, as he did not wish the 
surrender to be made upon the king's birth-day. These terms 
were finally agreed on, and the fort and garrison were surren- 
dered on the morning of the 5th of June to captain Rudulph, 
who was appointed to take possession, and the British troops 
marched out and laid down their arms. The British loss during 
the siege, was fifty two killed, and three hundred and thirty- 
four, including the wounded, were made prisoners of war. The 
American loss was sixteen killed, and thirty-five wounded, 
seven mortally. 

Brown and his officers were placed under a strong guard of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 523 

continental troops, commanded by captain Armstrong, for their 
safety. Young M'Kay, the brother of the one who was executed 
by Brown, sought an opportunity of putting Brown to death; 
but the guard prevented him from executing vengeance, for the 
murder of his brother. Mrs. M'Kay was said to have armed 
herself for the same purpose, and asked leave of the guard, who 
escorted him to Savannah, to speak to him ; but they would 
not permit her to do so, until she gave the requisite assurances, 
that she would not injure him: when her request was communi- 
cated to Brown, he observed that he was not afraid to face men 
in the field, but was apprehensive of the consequences of en- 
countering an enraged woman. She reminded him of the mur- 
der of her son, in terms mild and pungent ; but feelings had long 
been banished from his remorseless bosom, and their place in- 
habited by a fiend of darkness. 

Before Brown surrendered fort Cornwallis, at Augusta, 
Waters, Tillet, and several others had penetrated the frontiers 
with parties of Indians, Anticipating this event, captain 
George Barber had been ordered to cover the forts, and watch 
and disperse such parties as might be found on their route. 
Barber was an active officer, and executed the duties assigned 
him with success and honour. 

A quantity of Indian goods, and other stores, were found in 
fort Cornwallis, liable to distribution among the captors ; small 
portions of which were distributed among the men, so as not 
to encumber them with an extra portion of baggage, while their 
military services were required. The remainder of the goods, 
which fell to the Georgia troops, were put into the hands of 
John Burnet, who was directed to remove them to the western 
part of the state until a more convenient time to make the divi- 
dend. Burnet had made great pretensions of attachment to the 
American interest, and under pretence of harassing the enemy 
in the lower country, had visited the most wealthy settlements 
south of Savannah, where he had been indiscriminate in the 
pillage of negroes and other property, from friends and ene- 



524 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

mies. His party had secreted in the vicinity of Augusta, about 
sixty negroes : to give plausibility to his plans, he pretended 
that his intentions were to throw these negroes, which he al- 
leged were taken from the enemy, into the general stock with 
the goods, and make an equal dividend of the whole, among the 
Georgia troops who had suffered most by the effects of the war. 
The officers suffered themselves to be duped by this plausible 
pretence, and the whole was delivered into his care. He pro- 
ceeded on his way toward the mountains, unsuspected, under 
pretext of carrying the property out of the reach of re-capture 
by the enemy. Having so far succeeded, he disclosed to a few 
who were with him his villanous plan of carrying off the booty 
and dividing it among themselves. They crossed the moun- 
tains, passed through Kentucky to Ohio river, procured boats 
and passed down to IS^atchez, where they divided the fruits of 
their knavery. 

Immediately after the surrender of fort Cornwallis, general 
Pickens and colonel Lee, marched with their troops, and part 
of the Georgians, to jSTinety-six, which had been closely invested 
by general Greene. When they arrived at Ninety-six, the pris- 
oners who had been captured at Augusta, were marched in view 
of the besieged, to depress their ardour for resistance, and induce 
colonel Cruger to surrender. General Greene, with the main 
body of the southern army, had advanced to Ninety-six, and 
encamped before it on the 23rd of May. Eegular approaches 
by saps, were necessarily resorted to, under the direction of 
colonel Kosciusko, chief of engineers. On the 3rd of June, 
three regiments from Ireland arrived at Charleston, to re- 
enforce lord Rawdon, who commenced his march at the head of 
two thousand troops, to the relief of the garrison at jSTinety-six. 
General Sumpter was directed to check his progress, by harass- 
ing his front, but without effect. Am express reached colonel 
Cruger, informing him of Eawdon's approach to his relief. As 
general Greene was unable to meet Rawdon, he determined on 
an assault, but the works were unassailable, and the forlorn 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 525 

hope, coiidnoted with great courage and perseverance by lieu- 
tenants Duval and Sheldon on the 18th of June, proved unsuc- 
cessful. General Greene raised the siege and retired tov^^ard 
j^orth-Carolina. Eawdon pursued him a short distance, and 
finding that Greene had taken a strong position, he retired to- 
ward Ninety-six, where he rested two days, and then returned 
to the Congaree river, with one thousand men. The British 
force thus divided, encouraged general Greene to follow Raw- 
don toward Charleston. Colonel Cruger was left in command 
at I<[inety-six, and after affording time for the loyalists to re- 
move their property and join him, he destroyed the works, 
burned the village, and retreated to Orangeburg, where he 
formed a junction with Eawdon. 

When general Greene raised the siege, he ordered major 
James Jackson, who had been left in command at Augusta, to 
demolish his works and join him. Jackson attempted to retreat 
between Ninety-six and Camden, but finding that route occu- 
pied by the enemy, he changed his course toward Wilkes county, 
to join colonel Clarke. Hearing that Cruger had retreated, he 
returned and re-occupied his former position at Augusta. 

In July, two small forts on Broad river were attacked and 
taken by James Tillet, with a party of loyalists and Indians. 
Eighteen men, women and children were murdered. Such of 
the women as were able to bear the fatigues of a rapid march, 
were carried into captivity and compelled to endure all the diffi- 
culties of a savage life. 

The advantages which general Greene had derived from the 
service of legionary corps, composed of an equal number of 
cavalry and light infantry, induced him to order a body of this 
description to be raised in Georgia. In the active genius and 
enterprise of major James Jackson, he discovered the qualities 
necessary for the commanding-officer: accordingly he was ap- 
pointed colonel of the Georgia legion, to consist of three com- 
panies of cavalry and two of infantry. This corps was filled 
without delay and equipped for service. Having gained pos- 



526 HISTORY OF GEOBGIA, 1781. 

session of the western division of Georgia, general Twiggs' at- 
tention was directed to the eastern. He ordered colonel Jack- 
son to advance toward Savannah, and to take a position as near 
the enemy as his force would authorise ; and to consult the 
safety of his command, and the advantages of his country, by 
advancing or retreating, as circumstances might require. A 
short time before Jackson marched from Augusta, a plot was 
discovered to have been formed by a part of his legion, to as- 
sassinate their commanding-officer, and carry off the governor 
and members of the executive council to the British in Savan- 
nah. The greater part of Jackson's legion was composed of 
British deserters and loyalists, who had changed their political 
opinions and quited the British service. After the plan had 
been digested by some of the non-commissioned officers and 
privates of the infantry, it was communicated to the British 
general Clarke in Savannah, who ordered a detachment to meet 
the revolters, and to aid them in the execution of their pur- 
poses and escape. A faithful soldier named David Davis, who 
was the colonel's waiter, discovered that there was something 
in agitation of an extraordinary nature in the camp ; and in 
order to obtain a knowledge of the secret, affected an extreme 
dislike to the colonel, and united with the conspirators in the 
use of the most unqualified language of abuse and disrespect 
for him. Supposing that Davis' situation would enable him 
to be of great service to the party, they lent a favourable ear to 
his observations. This stratagem had the desired effect, and 
drew from the traitors a disclosure of the diabolical purposes 
in contemplation, which he immediately communicated to his 
colonel, and informed him that no time was to be lost in check- 
ing its progress, as it was ripe for execution. The dragoons, 
who did not appear to have been engaged in the conspiracy, 
were ordered to mount their horses and repair to colonel Jack- 
son's quarters, prepared for action. The infantry were ordered 
to parade without arms, under the pretence of searching for 
some clothing which had been stolen the preceeding night. The 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 527 

dragoons were ordered in front, with drawn swords, and the 
ring-leaders seized and confined. A general court-martial was 
ordered to convene, and the culprits brought up for trial : John 
Goodgame, William Simmons, and one Honeycut, were ascer- 
tained to be the projectors and leaders in the conspiracy. The 
court found them guilty of treason, and sentenced them to suffer 
death, by being hanged, and they were executed accordingly. 
The remaining seventeen, turned states evidence, confessed 
their guilt, and were pardoned in consequence of their apparent 
penitence. 

General Alured Clarke had ordered captain Brantley, with 
forty-five men, to advance within a few miles of Augusta, join 
the conspirators in the night, on the skirts of the town, and co- 
operate in the execution of the plan. Great rewards had been 
offered by the British general, in case of success, as stated by 
the witnesses before the court-martial; but fortune nipt its 
progress in the bud, and the leaders were hurled into eternity 
under the j)remeditated and detestable crimes of murder and 
treason. 

Davis was complimented by the legislature for his attach- 
ment and fidelity to the cause of his country, and rewarded by 
a present of five hundred acres of valuable land, and an elegant 
horse, saddle and bridle. Captain Brantley had advanced as 
far as Spirit creek, about ten miles from Augusta, and skir- 
mished with a small party, one mile and a half from general 
Twiggs' camp, killed one man and took off some horses. When 
Brantley was informed that the plan had been defeated, by the 
discovery of the plot, he retreated to Savannah. 

While vigorous preparations were making, in the vicinity of 
Augusta, to annoy the British by land, the American privateers, 
and small government vessels, were actively employed upon the 
sea coast. The impolitic prohibitions, imposed by congress at 
an early period of the war, upon British importations of every 
description, had been very severely felt by the inhabitants, as 
well as by the army of the United States: clothing, ammuni- 



528 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

tion, and many other articles, could not be procured for the 
army ; but among the most material, was the article of salt : 
the demand for it, at one time in the southern states, was so 
great, that it was sold at the exorbitant price of two dollars per 
quart : those who were not able to procure it, substituted ashes 
and red pepper to save their meat. This idea was borrowed 
from the Indian tribes, who generally apply hickory ashes, and 
barbecue it over a slow fire. During the war, salt, sugar, and 
many other articles, could only be procured by capture from 
the enemy. 

On the 14th of April, captains John Howell and John 
M'Cleur entered one of the southern inlets, unperceived by the 
enemy, and received intelligence that the British ship Britania 
lay in the harbour at the mouth of Ogechee river. Under cover 
of a dark night, with oars muffled, the privateers were towed 
alongside and grappled with her ; before the crew were aware 
of any danger, the assailants sprung upon the deck, and de- 
manded a surrender; the ship was accordingly delivered up, 
without opposition. Captain Wade, of tne Britania, and a 
boat's crew, had gone on shore to pass the night, and escaped 
capture. The ship was laden with rice, bound to the West- 
Indies, and only waited for a fair wind to go to sea. A pilot 
boat was also taken, and a pilot by the name of Saunders was 
put on board of the Britania to take her over the bar. On the 
18th, the ship and privateers passed out at Ossabaw, with the 
intention of taking in a supply of water, at Jekyl island. On 
the 24th, about eight o'clock in the morning, off Doboy sound, 
the ship Cormorant, captain M'Evoy, hove in sight, and g. e 
chase to the prize. Finding that the Britania could not escape, 
she struck her colours and dropped anchor. The boats were 
manned from the Cormorant to take possession, but before this 
could be effected, captain Howell ran down to the prize, fired 
upon the boats, and compelled them to retire to the Cormorant. 
The cable of the prize was ordered to be slipped, her sails and 
colours hoisted, and the vessel ran in close to the shore, until 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 529 

she reached the south end of Blackbeard's island, where she 
was land-locked and brought to anchor. The advantage of shoal 
water, enabled the privateer to defend her until five o'clock in 
the afternoon. Apprehensive that an advantage might be taken, 
under cover of the night, by a force so superior, captain Howell 
ordered the ship to be abandoned and burned. The prisoners 
were landed on the island and paroled, and the American crew 
and prize-master, taken on board the privateer: after this was 
effected, the Cormorant put to sea. In this contest, captain 
Howell had one man killed, and one slightly wounded. The 
damage sustained by the Cormorant, if any, was not known. 

Howell, M'Cleur, Spencer, and many others, continued to 
hover along the coast, and whenever any British merchant ves- 
sels attempted to go to sea without a convoy, they were almost 
certain to be captured ; and in that event, were either burned 
or sent into a northern port. Many British vessels, from the 
West-Indies, laden with salt, and other articles in great de- 
mand, were captured by these privateers and taken into North- 
Carolina. The numerous inlets along the coasts of South- 
Carolina and Georgia, affording no great depth of water, en- 
abled these privateers to escape capture when chased by large 
armed vessels. 

The effects of this policy were severely felt by the British 
West-India islands, where great dependance was placed upon 
the southern states for supplies: disappointed in these expec- 
tations, they frequently suffered for want of subsistence ; and 
there is no doubt of its having a share, in bringing the war to 
a conclusion. 

On the morning of the 4th of June, captain Howell entered 
the inlet of Sunbury, where he found a negro man fishing. The 
negro informed him, that he had been sent out to catch fish for 
Mr. Kitchins, the collector at Sunbury, with whom a party of 
British civil and military officers were to dine, it being the 
king's birth-day. Kitchins' house was not more than four hun- 
dred yards from the fort, and the execution of the plan to cap- 
34 



530 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

ture the party, required caution and courage. Supposing that 
they would be completely off their guard, and that they would 
indulge in the free use of the glass, upon such an occasion, until 
a late hour ; Howell selected twelve men, and proceeded up the 
river, uTider cover of the night, with muffled oars, and landed 
undiscovered: he surrounded the house, about eleven ' o'clock, 
and took twelve prisoners ; among the number was colonel Roger 
Kelsall, who had insulted and otherwise ill-treated Howell, 
while he was a prisoner of war. The feelings of resentment, 
which actuated Howell at the first moment, determined him to 
carry off Kelsall and drown him ; but the influence of the lady 
of the house, who begged that his life might be spared, induced 
him to change his determination, and the whole party were 
paroled upon the beach, who pledged themselves not to take up 
arms until they were regularly exchanged. Howell retired to 
his privateer unmolested, and without sustaining any loss. 
When Kelsall returned to the fort, he observed, that he expected 
nothing short of death, when he found himself in captain 
Howell's power ; and that he had no right to look for such mild 
treatment as he had received. 

On the 14th of July, captain M'Cleur took the sloop Brier, 
captain William Roberts master, laden with West-India pro- 
duce, within full view of the British armed ships, lying in 
Charleston harbour, and carried her into I^orth-Carolina. The 
next day after this capture, the crew of the Brier were paroled, 
and landed on Evans' island. 

On the 12th of July, captain Antony manned his boats with 
twenty men, from his privateer, and proceeded up the Ogechee 
river, with the intention of bringing off a schooner, laden with 
rice; and succeeded in gaining possession of her, but the tide 
was too far spent before he could get her out, and his retreat 
was cut off by captain Scallan, in a British galley. Antony 
landed in his boats, and was obliged to take to the woods, with 
the loss of one man killed and one wounded. The next night 
he reached his privateer in a boat with the remainder of his 
party. 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 531 

On the 18th of September, the brigantine Dunmore, captain 
Caldeleugh, mounting twelve gnns, sailed from Sunbury for 
Jamaica : so soon as she crossed the bar, she was pursued and 
attacked by two American gallies, one of which was commanded 
by captain Braddock: a close fire was kept up from ten o'clock 
until two: several attempts were made to board the brigantine, 
but the enemy was favoured by the roughness of the sea. In 
one of these attempts, one of the gallies, which had sustained 
some injury in her rigging, had like to have been run down. 
At two o'clock, the rigging of the other galley sustained some 
injury, which enabled the brigantine to escape. It was imagined 
that the hull was much injured, and that she would be obliged 
to put back to Savannah for repairs. Braddock repaired dam- 
ages and shaped his course for that port, where he again fell 
in with and attacked her ; but she had the advantage of wind, 
and escaped into port with six feet water in her hold. 

On the 20th of October, the American galley Tyger, captain 
M' Cumber, was lost off Hiltonhead, in a gale of wind : two of 
her crew were drowned, and the remainder, thirty in number, 
were saved in the boat. The next day they joined captain 
Howell, and took two schooners laden with rice, in which were 
thirty negroes, bound to the West-Indies ; but before they could 
be carried off, they were attacked by an enemy's galley and two 
boats, with sixty men, commanded by captain Scallan, Howell 
set fire to the schooners and escaped with the negroes in his 
boats, but the enemy gained possession of the schooners, in time 
to save them from being burned. The exertions on the part of 
the enemy, to save the vessels, gave Howell time to escape. 

About the 20th of October, general Twiggs' command be- 
came so formidable, as to authorise an advance toward the 
enemy. Colonels Jones, Irwin, Lewis, Carr, and many others, 
had been successfully employed in awakening the American 
spirit. Twiggs put his command in motion for the lower coun- 
try, where general Greene had authorised the belief, that gen- 
eral Wayne would be ordered, at the head of a continental force, 



532 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781, 

so soon as he should be joined by general St. Clair, who was 
then on his march from the north. Colonel James Jackson was 
ordered in the advance, with part of his legion and captain 
M'Kay's riflemen. He had several skirmishes with the enemy, 
before he reached Ebenezer. The bridges were destroyed in 
his front, and his flanks were annoyed by small parties under 
cover of thick woods. 

For the purpose of keeping open the communication between 
Savannah and the southern counties, the post had been held at 
Sunbury by the enemy, and an intermediate one at Ogechee 
ferry. On the 2nd of November, Colonel Jackson considered 
the surprise of the post at the ferry practicable ; and deter- 
mined to make the effort. In its vicinity, he fell in with a 
reconnoitring party and took them prisoners without giving 
alarm. Captain Johnson commanded the post at Ogechee, and 
imagined himself secure against surprise, supposing that he 
would be informed of any approaching danger, by the party 
which had fallen into Jackson's hands. Colonel Jackson's ap- 
proach was made so suddenly upon the house, which was relied 
. on as the place for defence, that the discovery and the demand 
for a surrender were simultaneous. Captain Johnson agreed 
to surrender, and was in the act of handing colonel Jackson 
his sword, when captain Goldsmith was killed by captain 
Patrick Carr. Johnson imagining, from this un-authorised 
act, that no quarter was to be given, sprung to the house, or- 
dered his men to resume their arms and sell their lives as dear 
as possible. The house was defended with so much vigour, that 
Jackson was not only compelled to relinquish what he deemed 
a certain conquest, but to retreat with the loss of captain Grant 
and several of his men. The house was considered unassail- 
able, and while Jackson was contemplating further operations, 
M'Kay's riflemen deserted him in search of plunder. He pro- 
ceeded with his remaining force against Butler's house, about 
a mile from the ferry, where there were fifteen loyalists, com- 
manded by captain Howell, who was sick in bed. The house 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 533 

was defended for a short time, but the bold attempt of one of 
the Americans succeeded in setting it on fire. Howell and his 
party attempted to escape, but very few succeeded: six were 
killed and five taken prisoners; among the former was their 
commander. 

Lieutenant-colonel Campbell, of the British cavalry, was 
quartered about a mile from the ferry with a detachment of his 
regiment ; here he was joined by Johnson, and a detachment of 
Florida rangers, under captain Wylie, amounting in all to 
eighty-five. Colonel Jackson's command was reduced to fifty- 
seven ; and supposing the numbers in the enemy's ranks, to be 
more than they really were, he was unwilling to come to action, 
without the advantage of choosing his ground. Campbell's 
men being all mounted, he advanced and the attack was made 
about four o'clock. Jackson presented his infantry, under 
captain Greene, and covered his cavalry behind a hammock. 
The enemy charged upon the infantry, and broke through the 
centre. Jackson's dragoons pressed through the enemy in re- 
turn, and separated them ; but they rallied at a high fence, and 
Jackson was obliged to retreat to a swamp, to secure himself 
against such a superiority of numbers, from which several un* 
successful attempts were made to dislodge him. Under cover of 
the night, Jackson retired toward Ebenezer. His loss in these 
several skirmishes, was six killed, five wounded, and five taken 
prisoners. Among the former was captain Grant, and among 
the latter was captain Bugg. The enemy's loss was two cap- 
tains, one cornet, and nine privates killed, and thirty wounded 
and taken prisoners. 

General Twiggs had advanced to Burke county, where he 
received intelligence of large bodies of Indians and loyalists col- 
lecting on the western frontier of Carolina and Georgia. The 
general returned to Augusta, and ordered colonel Jackson to 
retreat to Burke county, where he was to be re-enforced, and 
advance against Ebenezer. Colonel Jackson's force being aug- 
mented to one hundred and fifty men, he was enabled to attack 



534 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1781. 

the foraging parties of the enemy, with considerable effect. A 
number of negroes, and other property, belonging to the Ameri- 
can refugees, fell into his hands and were restored to their 
former owners. The country was so completely swept of every 
kind of provision, that Jackson's command often suffered for 
want of subsistence ; their rations were limited to boiled rice, 
and even that was sometimes obtained at great hazard, and in 
small quantities. 

In the western division of Georgia, the condition of the peo- 
ple was no better than in the eastern. Safety was no where to 
be found, except within the walls of a fortress. The inhabitants 
were driven to the last extremity for want of subsistence. There 
was scarcely a bushel of corn, or any other kind of grain, to be 
found in any part of the country. Applications were made at 
the distance of fifty miles for small quantities of seed to put 
into the ground, and while the ploughman was engaged in culti- 
vation, he was necessarily guarded by a party of soldiers. The 
forest furnished fine grass and cane, by which means horned 
cattle were kept in eatable condition, at all seasons of the year. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE loyalists and Indians, who had withdrawn the at- 
tention of general Twiggs from Savannah, were fallen 
in with by him near the Oconee and dispersed. As he 
returned through Burke county on the 13th of December, 
Messrs. Davis, Lewis, and Emanuel, all members of the execu- 
tive council, had carelessly fallen in the rear and were overtaken 
by a party of loyalists, commanded by captain Brantley. Lewis 
and Emanuel escaped by the speed of their horses, but Davis 
was taken prisoner, and afterward murdered. 

William Cunningham, who held the rank of major in the 
royal service, had fled with his banditti to the Cherokee nation. 
Til the month of November they entered the frontiers of Georgia, 
united with parties of Indians. In his train was one John 
Crawford, who captured John Pickens, brother of the general, 
who was delivered up to the Indians and expired by torture. 

The change of events once more put it in the power of the 
frontier militia to make a stroke at the Cherokee nation. The 
command of the Georgia troops for this purpose, was confided 
to major John Cunningham. He joined a part of general 
Pickens' brigade about the 1st of January. Pickens' com- 
mand, including the Georgians, amounted to four hundred men. 
With this body, he made a rapid and cautious march into the 
eastern part of the nation, and laid every town, village, and 
settlement in ashes, on the east of the mountains. Not a vestige 
of stock or provisions of any kind was left for the deluded sav- 
ages to subsist on, except some small supplies which had been 
hastily carried into the mountains and concealed. When this 
part of the general's plans had been accomplished, he attempted 
to pass over the mountains, but unfortunately a deep snow fell 
which compelled him to return. The general took in his route 
some towns on a western fork of the Hightower river, twenty 
miles distant from the place of encampment, during the snow 



580 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 

storm. He marched early in the morning, and reached the 
towns on both sides of the river the same afternoon. He threw 
out flanking parties to prevent the enemy from escaping; but 
there was only one house on which the snow was melted, conse- 
quently there was no other inhabited. In this house were a 
white man, a half breed, and an Indian. The white man was 
killed after he had swam the river ; the other two were taken 
prisoners. After some inquiries the general ascertained that 
a body of Indians were collected in the mountains, and intended 
to give him battle. He replied that that was what he wished, 
and requested them to pilot him to the encampment for the pur- 
pose. This they declined, but conducted a party of his men 
to a place where some Indian corn was concealed ; from whence 
a supply was obtained for the use of the army. 

Some time before general Pickens embarked on this expedi- 
tion, he communicated his intentions to general Rutherford, of 
North-Carolina, and to general Sevier, of Kentucky, and re- 
quested their co-operation. These officers had agreed to the 
plan of assailing the country at different points ; but for some 
reasons unknown, they did not comply. As the general received 
no intelligence of the co-operation, he retired to the settlement. 

The destruction of the Indian towns and property in this 
expedition, was only temporary in its effects. The retrograde 
motion of general Pickens' army, was construed into the fear 
of a general engagement. Colonel Robert Anderson, of general 
Pickens' brigade, obtained intelligence that an attack was to 
be made by a body of loyalists, Cherokees, and Creeks. An- 
derson communicated this information to colonel Clarke, and 
appointed Freeman's fort as the place of rendezvous on the 1st 
of April. Clarke repaired to the place of rendezvous with one 
hundred Georgians, where he was joined by Anderson with 
three hundred Carolinians. They marched early the next morn- 
ing to the Oconee river, passed over it a short distance, where 
they halted to obtain further intelligence of the enemy. Parties 
of discovery were sent out in different directions, with orders 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 537 

to avoid by every possible mean, being discovered by the enemy. 
Captain Black, v^ho commanded one of these parties, had not 
proceeded more than a mile, before he fell in with the main 
body, but the discovery of each other was made at the same time. 
Black ordered a retreat toward the camp, and was pursued and 
fired on by the Indians, who appear to have had no information 
of a formidable force being so near them. 

Colonel Clarke paraded immediately ; advanced to the scene 
of action, and met Black on the retreat. When the enemy dis- 
covered the American force, they fled in the utmost confusion, 
and scattered in various directions so as to avoid a general en- 
gagement. Several of the Indians were killed, and two of the 
loyalists were taken prisoners and hanged for former offences. 
Captain Holliway, of Anderson's regiment, was killed in the 
pursuit, by a wounded Indian. This defeat and dispersion, 
had a temporary effect, and left the inhabitants for a few 
months, in the enjoyment of peace. 

During the session of the legislature, in January, an act 
was passed for the confiscation of property, real and personal, 
belonging to such citizens of Georgia as had joined the enemy 
in the war against their native country; and the act extended 
to the banishment of their persons forever. This property was 
to be sold, and the proceeds passed to the credit of the state. 
Upon the credit of this fund, certificates were issued to the 
amount of twenty-two thousand one hundred pounds sterling, 
to meet the disbursements of the government ; redeemable after 
the confiscated property was sold, at par, with gold and silver 
coin, upon which there was a fixed value in pounds, shillings, 
and pence. A Spanish milled dollar to be rated at four shillings 
and eight pence, and the value of gold estimated accordingly. 
Executive and judicial officers were appointed in conformity 
with the system established by the constitution, and salaries 
annexed to the several offices, to be paid in these certificates. A 
further sum of fifteen thousand pounds, was issued in certifi- 
cates to pay off the arrears due to the militia. 



638 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 

The success of the American army, under the command of 
major-general Greene, in South-Carolina, enabled him to give 
the promised aid to Georgia. Early in February, general An- 
thony Wayne was ordered to Ebenezer, with one hundred of 
colonel Moylan's dragoons, commanded by colonel Anthony 
Walton White, to form a junction with colonel James Jackson ; 
and was soon after joined by colonel Posey, with three hundred 
continental troops. The whole force was far inferior to the 
British garrison in Savannah; therefore general Wayne was 
obliged to limit his operations, to the annoyance of foraging 
and plundering parties of the enemy, which were generally com- 
posed of the royal militia. A select party of this description, 
formed the design of murdering captain M'Kay at his own 
plantation. The house was surrounded in the night, and the 
enemy fired through the logs into the bed, in which it was under- 
stood M'Kay usually slept. M'Kay was not at home, but his 
wife was in the bed and supposed to have been in sound sleep : 
the ball passed through her body, and she was found dead in 
the morning. She had an infant in her arms, but it was not 
injured. 

Though general Wayne was instructed to act only on the de- 
fensive, he was to watch any advantage which might offer of 
carrying the town by a nocturnal assault. Brigadier-general 
Clarke lost no time in calling in his re-enforcements, to defend 
his extensive works in Savannah. With this view, so soon as 
he heard that Wayne was re-enforced at Ebenezer, he ordered 
in his detachments from the out-posts, and gave instructions 
to bring with them all the provisions and forage for which they 
could find conveyance ; to burn the remainder and lay waste the 
country. Conflagration was accordingly applied, and for many 
miles from the sea-coast, between Sunbury and Savannah, the 
rich rice farms presented nothing but ruins. So complete was 
the destruction, that Wayne's army was in part subsisted from 
South-Carolina. The inhabitants westward of Augusta, were 
more distressed for want of subsistence than those adjacent to 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 539 

the sea-coast. So pressing were their necessities, that Mr. John 
Werreat employed his negroes and boats for a considerable 
time, in carrying rice up the river to relieve them from absolute 
want. 

Soon after general Wayne entered Georgia, governor Martin 
removed with his executive council from Augusta to Ebenezer, 
for the purpose of extending the limits of the civil authority, 
and giving confidence to the people in the success of the Ameri- 
can cause. 

On the 13th of February, colonel Jackson encamped at 
Cuthbert's Saw-mills. About eleven o'clock in the forenoon he 
was attacked by fifty loyalists and Indians, from Savannah, 
commanded by colonel Hezekiah Williams. The enemy had 
the first fire, and wounded two or three of Jackson's men. The 
bridges had been destroyed and the creek was not fordable. 
The parties were on opposite sides of the creek, and continued 
firing at long shot until near sun down, but without much 
effect. Jackson detached a party of infantry, with instruct 
tions to pass up the creek some distance, cross over and fall 
upon the enemy's rear; but they did not reach their destina- 
tion until after Williams had retreated toward Savannah. 
Though provisions of every description were very scarce in the 
country, policy dictated to general Wayne the necessity of de- 
stroying such as could not be withdrawn from the control of 
the enemy. A considerable quantity of rice, not yet thrashed 
out, remained on Hutchinson's island opposite to Savannah, 
and so near the town as to be under cover of the enemy's guns. 
Governor Wright had cultivated an extensive rice farm, about 
half a mile south-east of the town, which also remained in the 
stack. Wayne finding that he could not gain possession of it 
for the use of his army, adopted a plan for its destruction. 
With this view he detached major Barnwell, of South-Carolina, 
with fifty men, in boats, who were ordered to pass down the 
north river which separates the island from Carolina, to burn 
all the rice upon the island, as well as on the main. Colonel 



540 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 

Jackson was ordered at the same time, with thirty dragoons, to 
pass through the swamps and destroy the rice upon Wright's 
plantation. The night of the 26th of February was fixed on 
for the execution of these plans. Jackson succeeded in dis- 
lodging the British piquets, burned the rice-barn, and retreated 
without any loss. He passed through an encampment as he 
was retiring, which was occupied by some refugees and their 
families ; but finding a number of them sick and in great dis- 
tress, he did not molest them. Major Barnwell was not so suc- 
cessful : a discovery was made of his plan, by the enemy, while 
he was collecting his boats, and his object being suspected, a 
considerable detachment was thrown over upon the island, by 
whom an ambuscade was formed; and as he passed down the 
I'iver, he was fired upon ; two of his men, Dobbins and Smith, 
were killed, and four wounded: one of his boats got aground, 
and three of the crew, who could not swim, were taken prisoners. 
Barnwell was compelled to retreat without accomplishing his 
object. 

A party of Indians, passing from Savannah toward the 
Creek nation, had stolen some horses on the frontier of Liberty 
county. They were pursued by major Francis Moore, with 
fifteen men, by whom they were overtaken at Reid's bluff, in 
a log-house. Moore was close to the house before he discovered 
the Indians, and in open ground, where he could not commence 
an attack, except under great disadvantages ; therefore he ad- 
vanced under the pretence that his command consisted of royal 
militia. He gave his hand to some of the Indians who came 
to the door, but soon found he was suspected. He ordered his 
men to prepare for action : the Indians closed the door, and on 
the first fire Moore was killed and Smith wounded. Finding 
that the Indians had a superiority of numbers, and were too 
well fortified to be dislodged ; captain Nephew, who then com- 
manded, was compelled to retreat. Smith could not be carried 
off, consequently he was murdered so soon as he fell into the 
hands of the savages. 



HISTORY OF GEOBGIA, 1782. 541 

When the British genera] found that his bounds were likely 
to be contracted to narrow limits, he sent expresses to the Creek 
and Cherokee nations, requesting the assistance of the Indian 
allies. This assistance was promised by some of the leading 
warriors of both nations, but the defeats which they had re- 
ceived from Pickens, Clarke, and Anderson, had in some meas- 
ure discouraged them. They had a general meeting in the 
spring, and there was a diversity of opinion among the chiefs 
whether they would adhere to the British or remain neuter. 
In consequence of this disunion, the Indians did not arrive at 
the time which they had appointed to join the British in Sa- 
vannah. General Clarke's force did not exceed one thousand 
men, consequently was not deemed sufficient to defend the ex- 
tensive works. 

The 15th of May was named by the Indians as the time 
that they would be on the southern frontier of Georgia to join 
the British; but the disagreement in their councils had re- 
tarded their movements and considerably lessened their force. 
Keeping open a communication to the southward of Savannah, 
to prevent general Wayne from cutting off the promised assist- 
ance by the Indians, was an object of considerable importance 
to the British general. With this view, connected with the 
hope of collecting an additional supply of forage and provisions, 
general Clarke sent out one hundred men, on the 19th of May, 
consisting of volunteer militia and a few regulars, under the 
command of captains Ingram and Corker. They crossed great 
Ogechee the next morning, and small detachments were em- 
ployed collecting cattle. Plaving received no intelligence from 
the Indians, they re-crossed Ogechee with the booty, on their 
return to Savannah. 

Colonel Jackson had been watching the movements of the 
enemy, and communicated them to general Wayne, stating that 
he would take advantage of thick low woods through which they 
must pass, and annoy them in front and flank with his dragoons. 
Soon after the enemy had crossed the Ogechee ferry, Jackson 



542 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 

attacked the front guard, and drove it in upon the main body: 
he then retreated about three miles to Struthers' plantation, 
where he posted his men on each side of the road, in a swamp ; 
they gave captain Atwood's dragoons, who composed the front 
guard, another fire and retreated. Colonel Brown (who had 
been exchanged soon after he returned from Augusta,) was 
ordered out by general Clarke, with two hundred and sixty 
infantry, and eighty dragoons, to re-enforce the other detach- 
ment, which they joined at little Ogechee, eight miles from 
Savannah. 

General Wayne had been regularly informed of these move- 
ments, and had put his whole force in motion to intercept the 
enemy's retreat. His van consisted of sixty infantry, under 
the command of captain Parker, and thirty dragoons under 
lieutenant Bowyer. Parker was directed to hasten his march, 
and take possession of Baillou's causeway. The difficulties 
which were presented in marching across a swampy country, re- 
tarded Wa;^Tie's movements so much, that he did not reach his 
destination until ten o'clock at night. When Parker reached 
the end of the causeway, he discovered a small patrole of cav- 
alry in his front. Each party advanced until they met, and 
Parker demanded the countersign. The British officer, either 
from confusion or mistake, advanced in the attitude of friend- 
ship, until it was too late to correct his error. The ofiicer and 
eighteen dragoons were taken prisoners, and only one escaped, 
and he gave colonel Brown the alarm, who was moving in col- 
umn with his cavalry in front upon the causeway. Bowyer 
charged upon the dragoons, supported by the infantry. The 
British cavalry were thrown into confusion and pressed upon 
the columns of infantry, and the causeway was too narrow for 
either to act with effect ; consequently the enemy were obliged 
to fall back. This was effected without much loss, as general 
Wayne could not get up in time to improve the advantages 
which Parker's position would have afforded him. 

Five of the enemy were killed, and some wounded ; among the 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 543 

latter was colonel Douglass, second in command. Two of the 
American van were killed, and three wounded. During the 
day, colonel Jackson had two men killed and one wounded. 

Wayne secured all the avenues of direct retreat to Savannah, 
and cherished the hope of forcing Brown to a general action the 
next morning ; but the latter had a number of militia under his 
command, who had a perfect knowledge of the country. These 
guides led him through deep swamps by bye paths, at a right 
angle from the direct way, into the road leading from White- 
bluff, which Brown reached before day-light, and arrived safe 
in Savannah the next morning. 

Some time previous to the rencounter which has been men- 
tioned, a party of Creek Indians, coming to Savannah, on a 
trading expedition, were intercepted by general Wayne, but 
not in a hostile manner: some of them were detained as host- 
ages, and the remainder permitted to return to their own coun- 
try with friendly talks. 

The American general assured them that the British forces 
were now confined within narrow limits in Charleston and 
Savannah ; that they would soon be compelled to abandon the 
idea of conquest in America and retire to England. This mild 
treatment, accompanied by such assurances, it was supposed 
would deter the Indians from future hostilities. Though the 
grand council in the Cherokee and Creek nations, did not sanc- 
tion a continuance of the war in alliance with Great-Britain ; a 
few of their warriors determined on a compliance with the 
promise made to the British general in Savannah. Witb this 
view, about three hundred Creeks, headed by Guristersigo, who 
stood high in the opinion of his countrymen for bravery and 
military skill, set out from the nation for Savannah early in 
the month of June. 

The secret movements which are uniformly observed by In- 
dians when they are engaged in war, were scrupulously observed 
during their march. Having white guides, they passed down 
the southern frontier of Georgia unperceived, except by two 



544 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 

boys, who were taken and murdered. Guristersigo approached 
the vicinity of Wayne's camp, on the night of the 22d of June, 
and despatched his white guides and a few Indians to recon- 
noitre it. The party returned the next day and reported that 
general Wayne's main body was encamped at the plantation of 
Joseph Gibbons, seven miles from Savannah, and that his 
piquet was two miles in his advance, at Barrack Gibbons', from 
which there was a fine open road, which led direct to the town. 
To avoid Wayne, and carry the piquet by surprise, was deter- 
mined on by the Indian chief; and for this purpose, he made 
the requisite dispositions for attack. 

Fortunately for general Wayne, he changed his position on 
the afternoon of the 23rd, to the ground which had been occu- 
pied the preceding night by his piquet guard; supposing that 
he had no enemy near him, from which danger was to be appre- 
hended, except in Savannah; he had taken the necessary pre- 
cautions to have all the passes well guarded in that direction, 
and contented himself by posting a single sentinel on the road 
in his rear. Guristersigo having but fifteen miles to march 
through the settlement, did not enter it until after dark, and 
pursuing his route, reached the vicinity of the American camp 
about three o'clock in the morning. 

Having made the requisite arrangements for battle, he sent 
forward a few daring warriors, with orders to spring upon the 
sentinel and murder him before he could give the alarm. This 
order was promptly executed. Guristersigo advanced with his 
whole force upon the rear of the American camp. The infantry 
flew to their arms, and the matrosses to their pieces of light 
field artillery. By this time the Indians were among them, 
which being perceived by captain Parker, he ordered a retreat 
to the quarter-guard, behind Gibbons' house, at head-quarters. 

The general sprung to his horse; supposing that the whole 
British force from Savannah was in the margin of his camp, he 
ordered the bayonet to be vigorously resorted to, and called out, 
"death or victory." Similar orders were given to colonel Posey, 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 545 

■who commanded in camp, about two hundred yards from the 
house. The general had scarcely seated himself in the saddle, 
before his horse was shot and fell under him. Wayne advanced, 
sword in hand, at the head of captain Parker's infantry and the 
quarter-guard, with a determination to regain his field pieces, 
which he found in the possession of the Indians. 

Guristersigo renewed the conflict with great gallantry, sup- 
posing he had only the piquet guard to contend with; but he 
was soon convinced that the rifle and tomahawk were unavailing, 
when opposed by the bayonet in close quarters. The artillery 
was soon recovered, and Guristersigo with seventeen of his 
warriors and white guides, lay dead upon the ground. The 
enemy fled with precipitancy and in confusion, leaving one 
hundred and seventeen pack-horses, loaded with peltry, on the 
field of battle. The pursuit was pressed into the woods, but of 
the active savages, only twelve were taken prisoners ; who were 
shot a few hours afterward, by order of general Wayne. 

The American loss was four killed and eight wounded. The 
defeated Indians retreated in small parties to the Creek nation. 

When the limits of the British regulars were contracted, a 
number of those who adhered to the royal cause, were unwilling 
to be confined to a garrisoned sea-port town. General Clarke 
imagined that they could render him essential services, by re- 
tiring to the Cherokee nation. At the head of this clan was 
colonel Thomas Waters, who had formed a settlement on High- 
tower river, at the mouth of Long swamp creek, where him- 
self and party had collected a number of negroes, horses, cattle,, 
and other property, which they had plundered from the fron- 
tiers of Georgia and Carolina. General Pickens made appli- 
cation to the governor of South-Carolina, to carry another expe- 
dition into the Cherokee nation, to route this banditti and pun- 
ish the Indians. Pickens' plan being aj^proved of by the gov- 
ernor of Carolina, he sent an express to colonel Elijah Clarke, 
of Georgia, on the 5th of September, requesting the aid of part 

of his regiment, and fixed on the 16th, at Long creek, in Wilkes 
35 



546 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 

connty, as the time and place of rendezvous, with thirty days 
provision. 

General Pickens' command consisted of three hundred and 
sixteen, and Clarke's of ninety-eight, including ten volunteers 
from Richmond county; making in the whole four hundred and 
fourteen, including the officers. 

The general marched on the morning of the 19th in a western 
direction for the Chatahouchie river, which he reached and 
crossed on the 24th, at Beaver shoal. Pursuing their course on 
a small Indian trail, they met two Indians, who were taken 
prisoners. The information received from them was, that there 
were several Indian towns within the distance of ten or twelve 
miles, and from thence colonel Waters' party was about twenty 
miles. 

The general detached colonel Robert Anderson with one hun- 
dred men, piloted by one of the Indian prisoners, to destroy the 
villages and towns upon the river. Colonel White was ordered 
down the river, with a detachment, for a similar purpose, while 
the general and colonel Clarke took a more direct course for 
colonel Waters' rendezvous, the destruction of which was the 
pi'incipal object of the expedition ; but Waters' spies had dis- 
covered the army on the march, and gave him notice just in 
time to escape with his party. A few Indians were killed, 
ard a number of women and children were taken prisoners. 
Anderson and White joined the main body in the afternoon, 
having killed eight Indians and destroyed a number of towns. 

General Pickens sent out some of his prisoners in search of 
the chiefs, offering the olive branch, with assurances that no 
more of their towns should be destroyed, if they would surren- 
der the white people among them, and enter into a treaty of 
peace : in the mean time the general marched from one town to 
another, to procure supplies of provisions and forage for his 
army. 

Several of the chiefs met in the mountains and sent one of 
their principal head men, called the Terrapin, with a party of 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 547 

warriors, and six of Waters' men prisoners; promising that 
every exertion should he made to take and hring in the others ; 
acknowledging that these white men had occasioned the killing 
of their people, and the burning of their towns. On the 8th of 
October, colonel Clarke marched from Selacoa, with one hun- 
dred men, in pursuit of Waters, who had halted on the Estanala 
river, about sixty miles west of Long swamp ; but Waters hear- 
ing of his advance, retreated through the Creek nation to St. 
Augustine. On the same day, captain Maxwell's company 
marched to Estanala town, where he took twenty-four negroes, 
the principal part of whom had been plundered by Waters' 
party from the inhabitants of Georgia and Carolina, a number 
of horses, and a quantity of peltry, with which he returned on 
the seventh day. 

A number of the chiefs came in, and proposed to general 
Pickens, while he was at Selacoa, to hold a treaty at Long 
swamp, on the l7th, to which he agreed. On the day appointed, 
twelve chiefs and two hundred warriors appeared, and entered 
into temporary articles of treaty, which were afterwards to be 
confirmed by the whole nation, at such time and place as the 
governor of Georgia should appoint. 

By this treaty, all the lands claimed by the Cherokees south 
of Savannah river, and east of the Chatahouchie, were to be sur- 
rendered to the state of Georgia, as the price of peace. The In- 
dian trade was to be opened upon terms not less advantageous 
to the Indians, than that which had previously been carried on 
between them and the British government. These articles 
being signed by both parties, general Pickens returned to his 
former rendezvous, on Long creek, where the troops were dis- 
charged on the 22nd of October, and returned to their homes 
without the loss of one man. The general's whole command, 
could not produce a tent or any other description of camp equi- 
page. After the small portion of bread, which they could carry 
in their saddlebags, was exhausted, they lived upon parched 
corn, potatoes, peas, and beef without salt, which they collected 
in the Indian towns. 



548 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1783. 

Early in the succeeding year, the governor of Georgia invited 
the Cherokee chiefs to Augusta, finally to conclude the articles 
of treaty which had been temporarily entered into by general 
Pickens. Lyman Hall, John Twiggs, Elijah Clarke, William 
Few, Edward Telfair, and Samuel Elbert, esquires, were ap- 
pointed commissioners on the part of the state, and the treaty 
was concluded on the 30th of May, 1783. when the present 
boundary line was established between the state of Georgia and 
the Cherokee nation. 

Another treaty was made soon after with the Creek Indians, 
by which all the lands claimed by them, east of the Oconee river, 
were surrendered to the state of Georgia. These tracts of coun- 
try were afterwards laid off into two counties ; the former was 
called Franklin, and the latter Washington, and they were ap- 
propriated for the location of the bounty and state warrants. 

The treaty with the Cherokees, at Augusta, was attended by 
general Pickens in person, with the original document. Why 
he was not invited to take a seat with the commissioners, is a 
little extraordinary. General Pickens had on all occasions ten- 
dered his services to the state, when it was menaced or attacked 
by an enemy. 

The capture of two large armies under the command of gen- 
eral Burgoyne and lord Cornwallis, and the disasters which had 
befallen the British troops, on a variety of succeeding occasions, 
had rendered the war in America very unpopular in the British 
empire. The obstinate perseverance in the American character, 
for the attainment of freedom and independence, was not so 
easily crushed as at first expected by the British ministry. 

At the opening of the preceding parliament, a settled deter- 
mination was announced from the throne for a vigorous prosecu- 
tion of the war against America, and these addresses were sanc- 
tioned in both houses by large majorities. In the course of the 
session, those who were opposed to the measures of the crown, 
had collected well authenticated documents, which were sub- 
mitted for consideration. From these it was ascertained, that 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 549 

in a war of seven years, but little progress had been made toward 
an attainment of the objects for which it had been commenced. 
Large sums of money had been spent ; two entire armies had 
been lost, and many had been cut up in detail ; and the question 
was asked, what had been gained ? New- York, Charleston, and 
Savannah, were then in possession, all of which were literally 
blockaded by land ; and that a powerful and expensive fleet was 
all that enabled them to hold possession of these cities. 

The debates upon these subjects had some influence upon the 
minds of the ministry. It was at first determined to hold what 
had been gained in America, and withdraw the supernumerary 
forces, including the navy, to act against France and Spain. 
These powers had taken advantage of the absence of the British 
fleet, and by every possible means distressed the commerce of 
Great-Britain at home. 

When these arrangements were made known to general Wash- 
ington, he became urgent in his solicitations to congress to in- 
crease his force that he might be enabled to make one more 
grand effort to drive the British army from America: at the 
same time he urged general Greene to rouse up the southern 
militia, and use every means in his power to contract the 
enemy's limits in Charleston and Savannah, and cut off their 
supplies of provision. 

It was fortunate for the United-States, that the sentiments 
of the British nation were not in unison with those of its sover- 
eign. On the 29th of February, it was moved in the house of 
commons by .general Conway, ''That it is the opinion of this 
house, that a further prosecution of offensive war against 
America, would, under present circumstances, be the means of 
weakening the efforts of this country a'gainst her European ene- 
mies, and tend to increase the mutual enmity so fatal to the 
interests of both Great-Britain and America." 

A change of ministry and policy soon succeeded. General Sir 
Guy Carlton was ordered to take the command of the British 
forces in American, and in conjunction with admiral Digby, 



550 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 

was appointed to negociate a peace with the American govern- 
ment. Upon their arrival in New-York, propositions were 
made for a peace, or truce, with those colonies which had re- 
volted against the British crown ; intimating that others which 
had not revolted, or had heen reduced by the British arms, were 
not to be included. The independence of the United-States was 
not explicitly acknowledged, nor was any notice taken of the 
treaty of alliance with France. 

In reply to the propositions of the British commissioners, it 
was declared by a resolution of congress, that the basis of nego- 
ciation must be an acknowledgment of the independence of the 
United States, and in conjunction with his most christian 
majesty the king of France. The former was ultimately ac- 
knowledged upon certain conditions, but to the latter there were 
strong evidences of reluctance, and several months passed away 
in fruitless attempts at negociation. 

On the 2nd of May, general Leplie who commanded the Brit- 
ish forces in the southern department, proposed to general 
Greene a cessation of hostilities. The latter declined entering 
into any stipulation of this sort, without authority from con- 
gress. It was understood however, that measures were in 
progress for withdrawing the British forces from America, and 
that terms of peace had been offered by Great-Britain to the 
American ministers at Paris. 

About the 1st of July, general Wayne was visited by a deputa- 
tion from the merchants of Savannah, under the protection of a 
flag, for the purpose of ascertaining the conditions upon which 
the British subjects might be permitted to remain in the city, 
after it should be evacuated by the British troops. They in- 
formed him that such an event was daily to be expected, in con- 
sequence of orders which had recently been received by general 
Clarke. General Wayne replied, that when the British garri- 
son should be withdrawn from Savannah, he should feel bound, 
in his military capacity, to protect the persons and property of 
such as might remain; but that the ultimate disposal of both, 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 551 

would be turned over to the civil authorities of the state; that 
his excellercy the governor and his executive council were in 
the vicinity of the American camp, to whom he would submit 
the subject of their application, and give them an answer the 
next day. 

General Wayne had a personal conference with governor Mar- 
tin, and was requested to offer assurances of safety, for the per- 
sons and property of such inhabitants as chose to remain in Sa- 
vannah, after it should be evacuated by the British troops; and 
that a reasonable time would be allowed them to dispose of their 
property and settle their pecuniary concerns in the state ; but 
it was to be clearly understood, that such men as had been 
guilty of murder, or other atrocious offences, would be liable to 
be tried and punished according to the laws of the state. The 
governor refused to enter into any stipulations for the safety of 
culprits, who were amenable to the judicial tribunals of the 
state ; alleging that the executive and judiciary were separate 
and distinct, by the constitution, and that the former had no 
control over the latter. These subjects were communicated to 
the deputation, by whom they were reported to the inhabitants 
of the town. 

Another deputation was appointed upon the succeeding day, 
with instructions to enter into definitive terras and conditions, 
and that they might be well understood, it was requested that 
they should be reduced to writing: they were accordingly in- 
dulged in their wishes. This negociation was principally con- 
fided to major John Habersham, an officer of the Georgia line, 
and a native of the city, whose personal character gave facility 
and confidence to the arrangements; having "bv the correctness 
of his conduct, and the polish of his manners, preserved a high 
standing, even among those who were inimical to the cause, 
which he was engaged. Satisfied with the assurances-tff^otec- 
tion which were given, many of the British subjects, who re- 
sided with their families in Savannah, discontinued the prepara- 
tions which they had commenced for removal, and became 



552 HISTOBY OF GEORGIA, 1782. 

citizens of the United-States. Such of the loyalists as were 
unwilling to subscribe to the conditions proposed, removed with 
their families, and the property they had in possession, to Cock- 
spur and Tybee islands, where they encamped until the trans- 
ports were ready to sail. Among this number there were many, 
whose atrocious conduct during the war, would have placed their 
lives at great hazard, if they had been tried by the civil authori- 
ties of the state: others had in possession large fortunes, in 
negroes and other property, which had been plundered from 
their republican countrymen. According to the British ac- 
counts of that day, seven thousand persons sailed from Savan- 
nah, between the 12th and 25th of July, and consisted of the 
following descriptions : twelve hundred British regulars and loy- 
alists ; five hundred women and children ; three hundred In- 
dians ; and five thousand negroes. Governor Wright and some of 
the civil and military officers went to Charleston in the Princess 
Caroline ; general Clarke and part of the British regulars to 
ISTew-York; Colonel Brown's rangers and the Indians to St. 
Augustine ; and the remainder to the British West-India islands, 
under convoy of the Zebra frigate, Vulture sloop of war, and 
other armed vessels, which had been ordered to the coast of 
Georgia for the purpose. The same account states that from 
three fourths to seven eighths of the Georgia negroes had been 
carried oif by the British. 

The war in Georgia was now hastening to a close. The pleas- 
ing moment was fast approaching, when the war-worn veteran 
would be permitted to retire from the scene of blood, to the 
enjoyment of peace. The 11th of July was fixed for the em- 
barkation of the British troops, and a formal surrender of the 
town was made to colonel James Jackson ; and the American 
army entered and took possession of it the same day. Colonel 
Jackson was selected for this purpose, by general Wayne, as 
a compliment justly due for his faithful services during the 
whole war, in which he had often distinguished himself; but 
more particularly, for the hazardous services which he had re- 



HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1783. 553 

cently performed with his legion, in advance of the army. 
Upon this important occasion, the friends and families of the 
Americans in Savannah, received them with tears of joy and 
gratitude, but the surrounding country exhibited nothing but 
ruins and devastation, and threw a gloomy shade over their fu- 
ture prospects. 

Colonel Posey, with the main body of general Wayne's 
army, niarched in a few days to join general Greene, in South- 
Carolina ; and general Wa3Tie followed with the remainder a 
few days afterward. The metropolis of Georgia had been 
three years six months and thirteen days, in the entire possession 
of the enemy; and at several times, the whole state had been 
under the control of the British government. The number of 
the disaffected, to the republican government, appears by the 
act of confiscation and banishment, to have amounted to two 
hundred and eighty. A considerable number of them were 
afterward restored to the rights of citizenship, and some of them 
to the enjoyment of their property, upon jDaying twelve and a 
half per cent, upon the amount thus restored ; and others upon 
paying eight per cent, into the public treasury. 

No correct estimate can be made of the immense losses sus- 
tained by the inhabitants of Georgia, during the revolutionary 
war. The negroes, and other property, which was carried off; 
the houses, plantations, and produce, destroyed by fire ; the loss 
of time, by constant military employment ; the distressed condi- 
tion of widows, who were left by the numerous murders com- 
mitted upon the heads of families, and killed in the field of 
battle, seem to bid defiance to calculation. If the inhabited 
part of the state, with all the property it contained, had been 
valued at the commencement of the war, half of the amount 
would probably have been a moderate estimate of the loss. 

On the 30th' -of November, provisional articles of a treaty 
were entered into by the commissioners of the United-States, 
and a commissioner on the part of Great-Britain, at Paris ; but 
the articles contained in this treat v were not to be conclusive or 



554 HISTORY OF GEORGIA, 1783. 

binding, nntil a treaty of peace should be agreed upon between 
France and England, which was then in progress. The defin- 
itive treaties between America, France, and England, were 
finally ratified at Paris on the 3rd of September, 1783. 

The embarkation of the British army in Charleston, was sus- 
pended until late in December. The enemy had not a suffi- 
ciency of provisions for the voyage, and the sales of it were 
withheld to compel the restoration of the negroes and other pri- 
vate property, which had been plundered from the inhabitants; 
which was ultimately agreed to, but only partially complied 
with. 

Immediately after the departure of the British from Georgia, 
a meeting of the legislature was called, in Savannah, by gover- 
nor Martin, on the first Monday in August. Their attention 
was directed to the opening of the courts of justice, and the ap- 
pointment of commissioners of confiscated sales. This session 
was short, as it was so soon to be succeeded by the constitu- 
tional meeting on the first Monday in January, 1784. Lyman 
Hall was appointed governor: George Walton, chief-justice; 
Samuel Stirk, attorney-general ; John Milton, secretary of state ; 
John Martin, treasurer; and Richard Call, surveyor-general. 
The land offices were opened, and bounty warrants granted to 
the officers and soldiers for military services. Public accounts 
were audited, according to the scale of depreciation, and the 
unappropriated proceeds of *the confiscated property was con- 
verted into a sinking fund for the redemption of the public debt. 

The valuable prize of freedom and independence was now 
obtained, and the people of America were left at liberty to live 
under a form of government of their own choice. The blood 
which flowed from the sufl^ering patriots of that day, should 
never be forgotten ; and the precious jewel which was purchased 
by it, should be preserved with courage and remembered with 
gratitude, by succeeding generations. 

END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. 



GENERAL INDEX 



Note — In the cases of little known individuals or places, every mention in the History is indi- 
cated in the Index. In the cases of well-known places and individuals, such as Savannah, Geor- 
gia, or General Lincoln, for example, only such references are indicated as are connected with 
leading events. PUBLISHER. 



Abercorn &. Goshen dl'trift. 162-197-418. 

Abercrombie, General, 178. 

Acton district, ir.2-197. 

Adams, Jno., 339. 

Africa. 81. 

Africans, 3-107-144. 

Albany, 182. 

Alexander, Lieut. Saml., 263-348-409-410. 

Alexander, Captain, 318. 

Alexander, Capt. Saml., 488-519. 

Alexander, Doctor, 369. 

Alexander, Capt. James, 488. 

Alexander, Mr., 519. 

Alleganv mountains, 335. 

Allen, Colonel, 373. 

Allen, Lieutenant Colonel, 502. 

Allen, Rev. Moses, 382-383. 

Alligator creek, 125-3.58. 

Allowances to settler.s, 40 et seq. 

Altamaha river, 4-6-45-83-118-120-200-209-219- 
261-315-327-329-347. 

Amadas, Capain, 1. 

Amelia, island and sound, 55-122. 

Amelia river, 343. 

Amherst, General, 181-191. 

Anastatia island. 103. 

Anderson, Captain, 294. 

Anderson. Capt. Robert, 394-536-541-546. 

Anderson, Lieutenant, 347. 

Andrew, Benjamin, 269-350-458. 

Annapolis, 269. 

Anno ship with first settlers, 20. 

Antony, Captain, 530. 

Appendix No, 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4., 229 to 254. 
Copy of charter and proceedings with 
Indians. 

Arbuthnot, Admiral, 467. 

Argyle, 55. 

Armstrong, Captain, 516. 

Armstrong, Colonel, 411. 

Arredondo, Antonio de, 50. 

Asby. Captain, 486. 

Ash, Gen. John, 401 et seq. 

Ash Court of inquiry on his conduct 411 et seq. 

Ashly river, 419. 

Assault on Fort Mcintosh, 325. 

Assault on Savannah by French and Ameri- 
cans, 444. 

Assault on Savannah repulsed with heavy loss, 
445. 

Atkins, Edmund, 183. 

Attack on British gallevs, 414. 

Attakullakulla, 187-188^189-190-193-196-197-201. 

Atwood, Captain, 542. 

Augsperg, 64. 

Audacious exploit of Col. John White, 439. 

Augusta district, 162-197. 

Augusta founded, 34-45-55-83-147-182-190-309- 
4.50-461-468-471-483-51 1 . 

Augusta is surrendered to the Americans, 522. 

Augustine creek, 147. 

Ayers, 263. 

Bachelors redoubt, 119. 
Baillie, Mr., 333. 
Baillie, George, 336. 
Baillie, Kenith. 170-176. 
Baillie, Robert, 198-337-338-. 
Baillie, Lieutenant, 447. 
Baillou's causeway, 542. 



Baker, John, 269-.301-308-309-316. 

Baker, Colonel, 339 et ,««<?., 514. 

Baker, William. 269-341-365. 

Baker, Maj. William, 366-367-422. 

Baird, Maj. Sir James, 378-379. 

Ball, Benjamin, HO. 

Ballenger, James, 312. 

Bank«, Sutton, 269 

Barber, Capt. George, 523. 

Barclay, Captain, 301-303. 

Barefield, .341. 

Barker, Sir William, 209. 

Barkup, Captain, 308. 

Barlow, Captain, 2. 

Barnard, Captain, 263. 

Barnard, Edward, 197. 

Barnard, John. 162. 

Barnwell, Major, 539-540. 

Barrin^ton, 315. 

Bartlett. Colonel, 260. 

Baskin, Lieut. James, 311. 

Baskin, Capt. William, 394-395. 

Bath, 116. 

Battle of Blackstock's, 499-500. 

Battle of Cowpens, 506 et seq. 

Battle of Fort Moultrie, 315. 

Battle of Kettle Creek, 396-7. 

Battle of King's Mountain, 492-403. 

Battle of Savannah, 378. 

Bavaria, 34. 

Beamor, James, 168. 

Beale, Captain, 506-507. 

Beards bluff, 31.5-324-356. 

Beattie's mi!!, 510. 

Beaufort. 428-435. 

Beaulieu, 430. 

Beaver Shoal, 546. 

Bedford. Duke of, 147. 

Bee's creek bridge, 405. 

Beech island, 488-515. 

Beginning of war of revolution, 286. 

Belcher, Governor, 117. 

Bell, Lieutenant, 180. 

Bellenger, George, 337. 

Benefield, John, 269. 

Benson, bishop of Gloucester, 111. 

Bentley, Lieutenant, 410. 

Bermuda, 177. 

Berrien, Capt. Jno., 335. 

Berwick's ironworks, 501. 

Bilbo, Capt. Jno., 467. 

Bird. Colonel, 190. 

Birmingham, James, 295. 

Bishop, Lieutenant, 263. 

Black, Captain, .537. 

Blackbeard's island, 529. 

Blackstock's, 497-501. 

Black swamp, 401-416. 

Blanford, ship of war, 72. 

Blue Ridge, 182. 

Boblius, John Martin, 67. 

Bolan. Mr., 282. 

Boltzius, Rev. Mr., 35-62-66-142-143-144-174. 

Boone, Gov. Thomas, ?08. 

Bosomworth, Adam, 159-161. 

Bosomworth, Rev, Thos.. 148-163. 

Bosomworth, sets up claim to islands, 149. 

Bosomworth, details of his claim and troubles 

therewith, 149 to 159. 
Bosomworth, Mary (his wife) 149-163. 



556 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Boston, 116-218-265-269-272-301. 

Bostwick, Captain, 315-325. 

Bostwlck, Capt. Chesley, 489. 

Bourquin, Captain, 167. 

Bourquin, Henry Davis, 269. 

Bowen, Captain, 304. 

Bowen, Commodore, 360. 

Bowen, Com. Oliver, 464. 

Bowman, Major, 293. 

Bowyer, Lieutenant, 542. 

Boyd, Colonel (Tory), 388-393 et seq. 

Braddock, Captain, 353-531. 

Braldie, Doctor, 368. 

Branham, Colonel, 478-515. 

Brantley, Captain, 527-535. 

Bratton, Colonel, 495-496-497-498. 

Brevard, Colonel, 413. 

Brewton's Hill, 375-376-377. 

Brier creek, 515. 

Brier creek bridge, 402. 

Brier, sloop. 530. 

Britania, ship, 528. 

British parliament resolute to suppress colonies 

by force, 30.5-30fi. 
British exper'iti'^n against Georgia, 365. 
British expedition against Savannah, 372. 
British capture Savannah, 380 
British decline fair exchange of prisoners, 387. 
British reestablish civil government, 407. 
British retreat to Savannah, 420. 
British oiTer concessions, 426. 
British fortify Savannah, 428. 
British ve.ssels captured at Savannah by French 

fleet, 453. 
British overrun South Carolina and Georgia, 

468. 
British reoccupy Augusta, 471. 
British murder prisoners at Augusta, 486. 
British ferocity and cruelties increase, 489. 
British and Tory atrocities recounted, 511. 
Broad river, 295-39.5-494-525. 
Broughton street, 278. 
Brown, Commodore, 291. 
Brown, Lieutenant. 347. 
Brown, Major, 360. 
Brown, Malcomb, 470. 
Brown, Col. Thos., 288-309-315-325-326-327-329- 

353-354-423-471-472-483-484-48.5-487-490. 
Brown, Col. T., 511-512-513-514-515, et seq., 

542-543-552. 
Brownsborough, 400. 
Brusard, Celerine, Capt., 303. 
Bryan, Jonathan, 21-173-269-270-323-338-350- 

380. 
Bryan's bank, 299. 
Bryant, General, 404-412. 
Bucher, Lieutenant, 308. 
Buck creek, 402. 
Bugg, Captain, 533. 
Bugg, Lieutenant, 325. 
Bugg, Mrs., 487. 
Bull, Colonel, 304-352. 
Bull, Lieutenant Governor, 72-99-100. 
Bull, William, 21. 
Bull-town swamp, 365. 
Bulloch, Archibald 267-269-287-290-298-302-320- 

321-330. 
Bulloch, galley, 353. 
Burgamy, Jno., 486. 
Burgoyne, General, 548. 
Burke. 285. 

Burke countv, 318-465-471-488-514-533. 
Burnet, John, 523-524. 
Bush, Lieutenant, 444. 
Busiris, 108. 

Butler, Elisha, 198-269-288. 
Butler, James, 421. 
Butler, Maj. Pierce, 447. 
Butler's house, 532. 

Cadogan, Lieutenant, 126. 



Caldeleugh, Captain, 531. 

Caldwell, Lieut. Wm , 328. 

Calhoun, Ensign Patrick, 311-312. 

Call, Richard, 554. 

Calvinistic Methodists, HI. 

Cambry, Colonel, 427. 

Camden, Lord, 282-285. 

Camden, town, 469-481-489-501-525. 

Cameron, Alexander, 211-289-290-296-310-311- 
313-408. 

Campbell, Lt. Col. Archibald, 374 et seq., 385 
el seq. 

Campbell, Captain, 414 

Campbell, Colonel, 492-493. 

Campbell, Lieutenant Colonel, 533. 

Campbell, Lord William, 292-293. 

Canada, 191-327. 

Candler, (Chandler Colonel, 498. 

Candler, (Chandler), Major, 493-495-498. 

Canouchee river, 27. 

Cape Francois, 426-427. 

Carlisle, Lord, 426. 

Carlton, Gen. Sir Guy, 549. 

Carnes, Captain, 516. 

Carney, Capt. Arthur, 348. 

Carr, Captain, 123-126-515. 

Carr, Mark, 176. 

Carr, Capt. Patrick, 499-532. 

Carr, Capt. Saml., 496. 

Carr, Colonel, 531. 

Carr's fort, 392-399. 

Carter, Charles, 366. 

Carter, Major, 487. 

Carter, Thomas, 198. 

Catawba river, 492-509. 

Catogan, George, 162. 

Causton, Thomas', 35-36-37-47-55-92. 

Causton's bluff, 147-454. 

Cedar Shoal, 395. 

Chain of forts, 83. 

Charleston, 4-21-22-34-53-112-131-134-147-269- 
293-304-315-323-345-363-427-447-524-549-552. 

Charleston Gazette, 97. 

Charlotte, 492-494. 

Charlton, Lieutenant Colonel, 293. 

Charter, copy of. Appendix No. 1, 229 to 247. 

Cha.se, Mr., 319. 

Chatahouchie river, 318-546. 

Chatham, Lord, 282-285. 

Cherokee ford, 394, 

Cherokee hill, 380-434. 

Cherokee man of war, 299-303. 

Chesterfield, Lord, 113. 

Chisholm, Thomas, 350. 

Chote, 1S6-187-18S. 

Christ church, 197. 

Christie, Colonel, 313-314. 

Christie recorder, 36. 

Christie, Thomas, 91-92. 

Clarke, General Alured, 526-527-538-542-545- 
550-552. 

Clarke, Col. Elijah, 317-359-391-395-409-420- 
457-464-470 et seq., 510-514 et seq., 536-541- 
545 et seq. 

Clarke, Capt. John, 479. 

Clarke, Lieutenant Governor, 99. 

Clarke, Mrs., 457. 

Clarke starts for North Carolina but reconsiders 
and returns to Georgia, 474. 

Clarke retreats to the mountains in upper Caro- 
lina, 477. 

Clarke defeats Innes near Musgrove's mill, 
478-479. 

Clarke returns to Georgia and renews struggle 
there 481 et seq. 

Clarke attacks Augusta, 483. 

Clarke compelled to abandon attack on Augus- 
ta, 485. 

Clarke leads his men and their families across 
the mountains, 490 et seq. 



GENERAL INDEX. 



557 



Clarke's creek, 395. 

Clay. Joseph, 269-273-287-288-459-469. 

Cleveland, Colonel, 492. 

Clinton, Sir Henry, 388-467-468-480. 

Cockran, Jonathan, 269. 

Cockspur island, 303-375-552. 

Coke, Doctor, 47. 

Coleman, John, 350. 

Coleman, Thomas, 342. 

Colonel's island, 369. 

Colonial assembly authorized, 160. 

Colony becomes a royal government, 171. 

Colson, Capt. Jacob, 293-294. 

Combat at Ptono ferry, 420. 

Comet, galley, 375-414-430-438. 

Congaree river, 182-525. 

Congress, gallev, 414. 

Conklin, Captain, 465. 

Conspiracy to assassinate Colonel Jackson, 526. 

Constitutional convention for the state, 330. 

Continental conarress, 218-276. 

Cook. Lieut. Col. William, 135. 

Cooper, Basil, 288. 

Cooper, Captain, 316-365-400. 

Cooper, Major, 407-421. 

Coosawhatchie, 418-511-512. 

Corker, 465. 

Corker, Captain, 471-541. 

Cormorant, ship, 528-529. 

Cornwallis, Lord. 480-481-486-491-494-495-498- 

509-541. 
Cornwallis breaks faith with the people, 480. 
Correspondence between Provost and D'Es- 

taing, 432-440-441 
Council of safety named, 287. 
Court of inquiry over conduct of General Ash, 

411. 
Court of inquiry finds him guilty, 413. 
Courts of record established, 173. 
Cowen's ferry, 392. 
Coweta, 98. 

Cowford (now Jacksonville^, 341. 
Cowleygee, or St. Catherinii's island, 149. 
Cowpens, 509. 
Coytmore, 180. 
Crawford, John, 535. 

Cruger. Colonel, 421-428-430-485-486-504-524. 
Cuba, 50-127-130. 

Cumberland (island), 55-7.3-86-120-130-168-348. 
Cunningham, Colonel, 325-327. 
Cunningham, Lieutenant, 316-317. 
Cunningham, Major, 516. 
Cunningham, Maj. John, 503-505-506-507-509- 

535. 
Cunningham, Maj. William, 535. 
Cunningham, Gen. Patrick, 293. 
Cussuppa, 327. 
Cuthbert, Seth Jno., 288. 
Cuthbert's saw mill, 539. 

Darien, 45-90-104-119-120-122-168-315-324-347- 
353. 

Darien district, 162. 

Darling, 486. 

Dartmouth, 261. 

Dartmouth, Lord, 220-283. 

Davis, David, 526-535. 

Davis, Mr., 476. 

Dawfuskie, 435. 

Deane, Silas, 425. 

De Barba, Don Antonio, 126. 

De Cambis, Chevalier, 434, 

De Dillon, Count, 434. 

D'Ernonville, Chevalier, 445. 

D'Estaing, Count, 426-431-434 et seq. 

D'Estaing made citizen of Georgia by legisla- 
ture, 455 . 

De Perron, Mr., 33. 

De Fontanges, General, 445. 

De Fontanges, Viscount, 427. 



De Horcasitas, Juan F. Geumes, 50. 

DeKalb, Baron, 469. 

De Leon, Abraham, 36. 

De Lisle, Maj. Roman, 360-366. 

De Monteano. Don Manuel, 12.3-125-130. 

De Noailles, Viscount, 434. 

De Vaudeville, Marquis, 454. 

De Veaux, James, 197. 

De Vergennes, Count, 425. 

Declaration of Independence, 320. 

Delamotte, Mr., 47-48. 

Delegate to Continental Congresa, 290. 

Delk, Saml., .348. 

Delk. his family murdered by Indians, 348. 

Demere, Captain, 119-1?6-1 79-183-187-190-304. 

Demetree, Capt. Daniel, 147-148. 

Dem.sey, Charles, 50. 

Dennis's mill, 511. 

Depreciation of currency, 346. 

Desperate dash of Col. Jno. Jones with 35 men, 
474. Surprises and captures party of To- 
ries, 475. Joins Col. McDowell, 475. 

Destruction of plantations by British, 538. 

Deveaux, Peter, 463. 

Diamond Hill, 310. 

Diego captured, 101. 

Digby, Admiral, 549. 

Dill. Major, 514-515. 

Discontent general, 139-140. 

Divisivins among the people, 258. 

Dobbins, 540. 

Doboy sounH, 528. 

Dobbs, Governor Arthur, 208. 

Dollar, Captiin, 381. 

Doolev, Col. John, 391-394-395-409-420-464-465- 
471-472 

Dooley, Capt. Thomas, 316-317. 

Dorchester, 171. 

Douglas, David, 162. 

Douglas, Colonel, 543. 

Downs, Mr., 476. 

Duane, Mr., 339. 

Duet's Corner, 318. 

Duke, Henry, 486. 

Dulaney's corps, 465. 

Dunbar, Captain, 123-124-129. 

Dunbar, Lieutenant, 101. 

Dunlop, Major, 510. 

Dunmore, brigantine, 531. 

Dunn, Captain, 514. 

Durn, magistrate, 36. 

Duval, Lieutenant, 525. 

Earlv explorations, 1. 

East Florida, 128-132-307-324. 

Eaton, Colonel, 406. 

Eaton, Major, 516-517-518-519. 

Ebenezer district, 162-197. 

Ebenezer settlement, 33-34-35-408-448-455-532- 

.533. 
Eden, Wm., 526. 
Edict of confiscation and banishment against 

the Tories, 537. 
Effingham, Lord 283. 

Effingham, Lord, defends the colonies, 285. 
Egleston, Captain, 516. 
Egleston, Major, 517-520. 
Egremont, Lord, 208. 
Egypt, 491. 
Elbert, Col. Saml., 265-288-302-316-32^339 et 

seq., 472-548. 
Elbert, Gen. Saml., 391 et seq. 

Elholm, Capt. A. C. G., 439. 
Elizabeth, Queen, 1-2. 
Elk, hii chief, 264. 
Ellick. Captain, 158. 
Elliott, Gray, 177-197-261. 
Elliott, John, 177. 
Elliott, Mrs., 449-450. 



558 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Ellis, Henry. Governor. 174-176-197-198. 

Ellis. Captain, 353. 

Emanuel. 535. 

Encland. 6-19-26-31. 

England declare.s war on France, 426. 

Enoree river. 477-497. 

Estatoe. 182-191. 

Etohoe, 183-184-195. 

Evan's islanrl. 530. 

Eveleigh. Colonel, 360. 

Europe, 493. 

Ewen. president, 292-293. 

Ewen. William, 162-197-273-289. 

Expedition oKalnst Florida. 340. 

Skirmish with Indians, 340-341. 

Baker defeated 342. 

Skirmish with British, 343. 

Failure of expedition and retreat of Elbert, 
343 

Skirmish with British, 359. 

Coun'il of war. 360. 

Retreat ordered. 363. 
Expedition against Charleston by British 

from New York 469. 
Expenditure* of eight years, 89. 
Exports for six years, 173. 

Fall, Captain. 413. 

Fallowfield, John 91-137. 

Farley, Saml.. 269-273. 

Fauquier, Llout. Governor Francis, 208. 

Fee. Thomas. 264. 

Ferguson. Col. Patrick, 491-492-493. 

Few, Captain, 263-342. 

Few, Col. Benjamin, 390-409-421-434-458-471- 

.501 et leq. 
Few, Lieutenant, 316. 
Few. William, 350. 
Few. Col. William. 390-548. 
Financial expedient proposed by Mr. Telfair, 

and successfully used, 493. 
Finholloway creek, 340. 
First general as.iembly 

List of members, 161-162. 

Proceedings. 162-163. 
Fish Dam Ford, 39o-.'i01. 
Fisher, Rev. Hugh. 171. 
Fishing creek. 489-494. 
Five-fathom Hole, 303-375-43C. 
Flamborough, man of war, 121. 
Florida, 323. 

Florida, ceded to Great Britain, 198. 
Florida colony. 4-5-6-50-121. 
Florida, gulf of, 2-44. 
Fort Argvle erected, 27. 
Fort Arthur, 3.'50. 
Fort Charlotte, 394-399. 
Fort Cornwallis, 518. 
Fort Duquesne, 178. 
Fort Galphin, 5IG-519. 
Fort George, 120. 
Fort Granbv, 516. 
Fort Grier.son. 518-519. 

Fort Howe. 315-324-325-328-340-347-353-365. 
Fort James, 261. 
Fort Johnson. 292 
Fort Loudon. 179-185 et seq. 
Fort Mcintosh. 315-324-325-345. 
Fort Moore. 168-182. 
Fort Moo«a. 101-101-120. 
Fort Moultrie, 315-447. 
Fort Pitt, 459. 

Fort Prince George, 180 el seq. 
Fort St. Andrews, 130. 
Fort St. George. 51. 
Fort St. Simons, 45. 
Fort Tonyn. 355-357. 
Fort Wati^on. 520. 
Fort William. 120-122-123-130-136. 



Foster, Lieutenant, 180. 

Foway, ship, 430. 

France. 218-425-426-451-549-550-554. 

Francis. Captain. 167. 

Franclr'. William, 161-197 

Franklin. Benjamin. 116-212-21*-218-21»-261- 

278-282-297-425. 
Franklin county. .548. 
Fraser, James, 167. 
Fraser. Lieutenant, 340-342. 
Frederica, 33-4-5-105-112-118 el »eq.. 127-128-129- 

1.3.3-141-147-148-353-345. 
Fredericksburg, 387. 
Freeman, John. 474-475-478. 
Freeman. Capt. William, 310-393. 
Freeman's fort, 473-536. 
French. Captain. 428. 
French west of Georgia. 14. 
French Intrigues with Indians. 44. 
French march from Montreal. 99. 
French incite Indian attacks. 168. 
French fleet arrives. 427. 
French fleet at siege of Savannah, 452-453. 
French army at Savannah, 453. 
Fidsom's fort, 409. 
Fulton, John, 350. 
Fuser. Colonel. 326-327-329-345-365-369-371. 

Gage. General. 279-286-289-296. 

Gage. Governor, 276. 

Galatea, 354. 

Galphin, George, 260-264. 

Galphln's. 472. 

Garden, Alexander, 112. 

Gardiner, Major, 390. 

Garrlck. 114. 

Gates, General. 469-481-489-492. 

General's island, 125. 

George the second, 6-22-154. 

Georgia, 

Included In South Carolina, 3 

Charter granted, 6. 

First settlement, 21. 

Eulogistic pamphlet. 28. 

Alcoholic liquor prohibited, 33. 

Poem by Wesley, 56. 

Capabilities of the country, 69. 

Invaded by Spaniards. 122. 

Boundaries extended, 198. 

Acquires more territory from Indians, 208. 

First constitution made, 330. 

Records of state preserved from capture by 

Capt. Jno. Milton, 469. 
All important points in British hands, 480. 
Georgia Gazette, 266-277. 
Georgetown, 469. • 

Geraldino, Sir Thomas, 52. 
Germain, Lord Geo., 336 
Germain man of war, 430-438. 
Germans, 45-55-138-144. 
Germany, 4.5-108-113. 
Gibbon, Ensign. 126. 
Gibbons, Barrack, 544. 
Gibbons, Jo.seph, 197-.544. 
Gibbons, William, 197-269-287. 
Gibraltar, 86. 

Gilbert Sir Humphrey. 1-2. 
Gilbert. Robert. 36. 
Gilbert's town. 493. 
Glascock. Lieutenant. 366. 
Glascock, William, 458-461-483. 
Glasier. Major. 445. 
Glass Irothers. 486. 
Glen, Governor. 121-147-172. 
Glen. Judge, 334-338. 
Glenn, John. 269-288-309. 
Gloucester. 111. 
Glynn. 285. 
Goldsmith, Captain. 422-532. 



GENERAL INDEX. 



559 



Goldwlre, JamPs, 48<?. 

Goodgame, John. 527. 

OorHon, chief mactHtrate, 36. 

GouIdinK. Wm., 366. 

Graham, John, 107. 

Graham. Maior, 438. 

Graham, Patrick. Ifi4-167. 

Grant, Captain, 532. 

Grant. Lifiut Pol. James. 191-192-193-194-195- 

196-197-263-304. 
Grant, Major, 303. 
Grapes succes^ifuHy Introduced, 40. 
Gravesend, 20-31. 
Grav, Lieutenant, 422-444. 
Great Britain. 3-16-27-51-108-150-202-212-213- 

214-281-469-5i3. 
Greene, Captain, 533. 
Greene, Gen. Nathaniel, 494-501-509-510-517- 

524—531—538—5.50-553. 
Greenwich, sloop, 375. 
Grenada, 426-431. 
Grenville county, 164. 
Grenville, Lord, 259. 
Grierson. Colonel, 483-488-518-519. 
Grlerson'a fort, 484. 
GrlmkiP, Major. 360-406. 
Grindal's ford, .505. 
Gronau, Rev. Mr.. 66. 
Gronder, Israel Christian, 67. 
Guilford Court House, 510. 
Guristersifro. chief, .54'?-544-.545. 
Gwinnett. Button. 302-331-332-333-334-339. 

Habersham. James. 27-116-117-142-143-144-146- 

160- 16.5- 170-'' 11 -220. 
Fahersham. Major John, 360-368-.551. 
Hahersham. Joseph, 269-287-288-291-299-302- 

303. 
Halifax, 197. 
Hall, Governor, 554. 
Hall, Lieutenant (Tory), 400. 
Hall, Lieutenant, captured and hung at Ninety- 

Pix, 400. 
Hall, Lvman, 269-285-286-290-302-458-548-554. 
Hamilton Cantiin A., 392. 
Hamilton, Maior. 392. 
Hamilton. Maj. Frederick. 185. 
Hammond, 263. 
Hammond, Colonel, 514. 
Hammond, Col. Leroy. 409. 
Hampton, Captain, 476. 
Hampton, Cant Henry. 499. 
Hampton Colonel, 498. 
Hampton roads, 4.54. 
Hancock, John, 320. 
Handv, Cantain. 516-520-521. 
Handtey, Major, 420. 
Handley, Maj. Geo.. 489. 
Harden, Colonel, 511-512-513. 
Hardv, Captain, 353-459-464. 
Harris, Captain, 170-315. 
Harris Fr.inris. IfiO-lfil. 
Harris, Col. Fran'-is. 326. 
Harris, Francis H.. 288. 
Harris, Cant. Thomas. 318. 
Harris and Habersham, 141-160. 
Haslem, Wm., 372. 
Hatcher, Captain, .353. 
Hatter, transport 3.54. 
Havana, 101-121-132. 
Hawkins, Mr.,' 119. 
Haw river. 509. 
Hawk's creek, 483. 
Havmer. Captain. 121. 
Hayes, Colonel. 51.5-516. 
Hayward's artillerv, 446. 
Heard Governor. 407. 
Heard. Col. Stephen, 469-476. 
Hector, ship of war. 72. 
Henderson, Lieut. Col., 360-370-418-420. 



Henry the eighth, 214. 

Herbert. Rev. Mr., 20. 

Herbert's, 400. 

Heron, Major, 123-126. 

Herry, Capt. Peter, 405. 

Hester's bluff, 344. 

Hext, Lieutenant, 304. 

Hryrn, Captain, 361. 

Hickory hill, 4''1. 

Highlanders, 138-14 J-184-185-191-387. 

Hi?htower river, 53,5-545. 

Hill. Colonel, 40,5-496-497-498. 

Hillsboroush. 4R0-494. 

Hilton-head. 4''9-531. 

Hinchenbrook. bneantine. .353. 

Holland, Commissioner, 260. 

Holland. John 312. 

Hollis, Sergpant, 325. 

HoUoway, Captain, 537. 

Holmes, John, 108. 

Holzendorf, Wm., .350. 

Honeycutt, 527. 

Hornet, galley, 414. 

Horry, Major, 4-50. 

Horse-guards. 135. 

Horton, Captain Wm., 123. 

Horton, Major, 129-137-141-145-146. 

Hospital Hill, 431. 

Houston, George, 28S. 

Houston, Governor. 373 el sen. 

Houston, John, 257-26>-273-287-29O-302-319- 

350 el seq. 
Houston, Mr., 333. 

Houston, Sir Patrick, 162-336-337-338-485. 
Howard. Lieut. Col., 505-507-508-509. 
Howe, General, 301. 
Howe, Gen. Lord, 325. 

Howe, Gen Robert. 323-3 tO-''4 5-35 1 el seq., 460. 
Howell, Capt. John, 461-528-529-531. 
Howell, Captain (Tory), 532. 
Howley. Governor, 470. 
Howley, Richard, 458. 
Hudson's ferry, 403-408. 
Huffman, Jno., 312. 
Huger, Colonel, 370. 
Huger, Col. Isaac, 376-443-444. 
Huger, General, 417. 
Hume, Lieutenant, 444. 
Huntingdon, Countess of, 116-146. 
Huntingdon, Countess o^ her biography, 228- 
Hussoope, or Ossabaw island, 149. 
Hutchinson's island, 145-303-438-539. 
Hyrne, Edward, 411. 

Independence celebration in Savannah, 320. 
Indians in Georgia. 3. 
Creeks. 24. 

Conference with Creeks, 24. 
Treaty with Creeks, 25. 
Creek chiefs in England, 31. 
Uchees, 34. 
Spaniards fail in negotiations with Creeks, 

73. 
Creeks, Cherokees and Chlckasaws make 

treaty with Oglethorpe at Coweta, 98. 
Chickasaws desert, 104. 
Support Bosomworth, 148. 
Danger of war. 150 to 160. 
Cherokees commit outrages, 166. 
Uchees claim lands, 166. 
Internal wars between Creeks, Cherokees, 

Chickasaws. Uchees and Notteweges 168 

to 172. 
War with Cherokees, 179. 
New treatv, 179. 
War renewed, 180 to 197. 
Catawbas, Creeks and Chickasaws urged 

to join English, 182. 
Treaty made. 107. 
Conference at Mobile, 202. 



5f;o 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Indiana, speech of Stewart, 202 to 208. 

Great conference at Augusta, 208. 

General treaty made, 208. 

Cede territory to Georgia, 208. 

Encroachments by settlers, 210. 

Incursions, 262. 

Make treaty, 318. 

Assist British, 408. 

Incursions under Tate and McGllvery, 409. 

War on border, 464. 

Cede more territory as price of peace, 547. 

Conclude treaty with .\mericans, 548. 
Inman, Capt. Joshua, 390-421-465-466-479. 
Ingram, Captain, 541. 

Innes, Lieut. Col. Alexander, 385-475-477-478. 
Inverness, 45. 
Ireland, 524. 
Irwin, Captain, 514. 
Irwin, Colonel, 531. 

Jack, Col. Saml., 314-317. 

Jackson, Col. James, 532 (•( seq., 538 et seq., 552. 

Jackson, Maj. James, 367-447-495-498-500-509- 

514-525. 
Jamaica, 531. 

James, King of England, 2. 
Jasper, Sergeant, 444-447 et seq. 
Jefferson, Governor, 457. 
Jekyl island, 73-83-120-123-130-348-528. 
Jekyl sound, 45-53-119. 
Jews, twenty families come, 34. 
Jews burying ground, 443. 
John's island, 419. 
Johnson, Captain, 532-533. 
Johnson, Governor, 21. 
Johnson, Lewis, 197. 
Johnson, Mr., 501. 
Johnston, Captain, 4S3-49.3-511. 
Johnston, Capt. Andrew, 487. 
Johnstone, Governor, 426. 
Jollie, Martin, 410. 
Jones, Colonel, 421-464-531. 
Jones, Doctor, 116-217. 
Jones, Edward, 459. 
Jones, John, 350. 
Jones, Capt. John, 317. 
Jones, Colonel, 421-464-531. 
Jones, Col. John, 471-474-476-488. 
Jones, Major John, 439-447. 
Jones, Mrs., 448. 
Jones, Noble, 27-129-147-151-160-165-167-170- 

173. 
Jones. Noble W., 167-169-197-267-26»-273-287- 

290-350-469 
Jones, Thomas, 92-137. 
Joseph's Town district, 162. 
Jourdine, Capt. Charles, 486. 

Keiffer, Theobald, 162. 
Kelsal, Roger. 410. 
Kelsal. Col. Roger, 530. 
Kemp, Lieutenant, 488. 
Kenedv, Captain, 194. 
Kentucky, 49.3-524. 
Keowee, 179-182. 
Keppel, brig, 375-430. 
Ker, Captain, 479-504. 
Kettle Creek, 399. 
King's Mountain, 492. 
Kioka creek, 391. 
Kirk, Colonel, 360. 
Kirkland, Col. Moses, 296-297. 
Kitchens, 529. 
Kosciusko, Colonel, 524. 

Lacey, Colonel, 495-496-497-498. 
Land courts opened at Augusta, 261. 
Land tenures made easy, l60. 
Lane, Major Joseph, 360-380-381-382. 



Langworthy, Edward, 298-331. 

Laroach, Lieutenant, 304. 

La Truite, frigate, 439. 

Latinac, Lewis, 191. 

Laurence, Benjamin, 474. 

Laurens, Colonel, 334. ' 

Laurens, Henry, 266-338. 

Laurens, Lieut. Col., 444. 

Lawson, Capt. Jno., 382-464. 

Le Conte, Wm., 288. 

L'Enfant, Major, 441. 

Lee, Arthur, 425. 

Lee, General Charles, 323-324. 

Lee, galley, 3.53-375. 

Lee, Col. Henry, 516-517-518-520. 

Lee, Mr., 282. 

Lemons, a trader, 210-211. 

Leplie, (Leslie?) General, 550. 

Leslie, General, 445. 

Levy, Isaac, 164. 

Lewis, Colonel, 531-535. 

Liberty club, 461. 

Liberty county, 335-465-540. 

Lincoln, Gen. Benjamin, 374-375-384 et seq., 468, 

Lindsay, John, 461. 

Lindsey, Major, .502. 

Little, James, 312. 

Little, Capt. James, 394, 

Little, Lieutenant, 348. 

Little river, 208-211-260-262-263-490-511. 

Little Ogechee district, 162-197. 

Lloyd, Lieut. Edward, 447. 

Lochaber, 310. 

Locke, Colonel, 411. 

Lockhart, Isaac, 424. 

London, 141-219-277-278-487. 

London merchants meet, 281. 

Long Cane creek, 211. 

Long district, 265-394-501. 

Long creek, 545-547. 

Long swamp, 547. 

Long swamp creek, 545. 

Lord, Rev. Joseph, 171. 

Lords Commissioners, 277. 

Loudon, Lord, 178. 

Louisiana, 445. 

Lowe, Maj. Philip, 360. 

Lyttleton, Governor, 179. 

McArthur, Major, 508-509. 

McArthur, Maj. Archibald, 438. 

McCall, Captain, 294-396. 

McCall, Colonel, 489-495-496-498-501-502-504- 

505-510. 
McCall, Capt. James, 311-312-313-314-315. 
McCall, Lieutenant Colonel, 482-483-492. 
McCall, Major, 478. 
McCleur, Capt. John, 528-529-530. 
McCumber, Captain, 531. 
McDougal, Captain, 372-373. 
McDowell, Major, 506-507. 
McDowell, Colonel, 475. 
M'Evov, Captain, 528. 
McGillvray, L., 197. 
McGilvery, 409. 
McGirth, Colonel, 325-327-342-344-349-351-354- 

365-366-368-399-424-465-472. 
McGirth, Daniel, 308-315. 
McGirth, James, 308. 
McGowen, Lieutenant, 342. 
Mcintosh, Captain, 315-335. 
Mcintosh, George, 269-333-335-335-337-338-339. 
Mcintosh, John Moore, 62-101-104-122. 
Mcintosh, Lieut. Col. John. 347-360-364-369- 

400-401-421. 
Mcintosh, Gen. Lachlan, 198-266-302-304-305- 

320-324-329-331 et seq., 427-430-434-439-440- 

444-457e< seq. 



GENERAL INDEX. 



561 



McKay. Captain. 472-473-511-532-538. 

McKay. Captain, his wife tortured by Tories, 

472-473. 
McKay, Captain, his wife murdered by Tories, 

538. 
McKay, Mra., 513-523. 
McKay, Rannal, 513. 
McKay, Young, 523. 
McKay's house, 483. 
McKenzie, Lieutenant, 400-414. 
McKinnon, Capt. Rannal, 513. 
McPhprson, Captain, 88. 
Macartney, Lord, 431. 
Mackay, James, 300. 
Mackay, Lieutenant, 126. 
Mackintosh B. John, 162. 
Mackintosh, Captain, 168. 
Maddox. Commissioner. 260. 
Madeira wines, 33. 
Madrid, 101. 
Maaeleto, Captain, 126. 
Maitland, Captain, 291. 
Maitiand, Lieutenant Colonel, 420-428-429-435- 

452. 
Maitland, Maior, 303-304. 
Maitland's ledoubt, 444. 
Malatche (Opiya Meco), 148-149-150-154-155- 

156-158-172. 
Mann, John, 269. 
Marburv, Capt. Leonard, 318. 
Marbury, Col. I,eonard, .351-400-403-446. 
Marion, General, 469 
Marion, Lieutenant Colonel, 345. 
Martin, Captain, 484. 
Martin, Governor, 551-554. 
Martin, John, 554. > 
Martin. Capt. Wm., 486. 
Martvn, Benjamin, 54-91-97. 
Maryland, 134-469. 

M assac husetts, 117-21 3-2 1 8-268-276-286. 
Matanzas, 103-104. 
Matthews bluff, 406-511-513. 
Matthews. Marv, 150. 
Maxwell, Audley, 16?. 
Maxwell, Captain, r)47. 
Maxwell, James. 167-176. 
Maxwell. John, 198. 
Maxwell, Lieutenant, 126. 
Maxwell, Capt. Wm., 464. 
May, river of, .59. 
Maybank, Colonel, 422. 
Mecklenburg county, 492. 
Medway river, 177-421. 

Medway settlement and church established. 171. 
Meeting of patriots called at Savannah, 258. 
Melvin, Capt. Geo., 353, 439. 
Menandez, Francis, 4. 
Mercer, James, 353. 
Mercer, Samuel, 137-143. 
Methodists, 46. 
Mexico, bay of, 71-72. 
Middlebrook, 460. 
Middleton, Captain, 294. 
Middleton, Colonel, 192. 
Midway district, 162. 
Midway settlement, 354. 
Milledge, John, 161-287-459. 
Miller, Capt. Jno., 394-395. 
Millen's plantation, 434. 
Milligan, Captain, 414. 
Milton, John, 554. 
Milton, Capt. John 'removes state records) 374- 

469. 
Milton. Lieut. John. 328. 
Mississippi river. 5. 
Mobile, 202-314. 

Moncrief, Captain, 428-429-430. 
Money. Major. 498. 



Montgomery, Colonel, 181-182-183-184-185-191 

194. 
Mont-Real, 99. 
Moodie, Thomas, 271. 
Moore, Captain, 361. 
Moore, Lieutenant Colonel, 396-399. 
Moore, Major Francis. 540. 
Moore, Mr., 47. 
Moore's Fort built, 34. 
Moorfields, 116. 
Morell, John, 269-288. 
Morell, Peter, 162. 

Morgan, General Daniel, 505-506-507-508-509. 
Morison, Captain, 183. 
Morris, Lieutenant, 424. 

Moultrie, Colonel, 315-447-448. 

Moultrie, General, 323-324-328-370-390-411-415- 

417-418-420. 
Mount Plea.'^ant, 34-208. 
Moylan, Colonel, .538. 
Muller, Captain, 421. 
Mulryne, John, 163-300. 
Mulryne, Mr., 123. 
Musgrove, John, 156. 
Musgrovc, Mary, 24-150. 
Musgrove's creek, 377. 
Musgrove's mill, 477. 
Mutiny act, 211. 
Myddleton, Wm., 422. 

Nash, Captain, 338. 

Nash, Governor, 469. 

Natchez, 524. 

Naval fight in Sapelo Sound, 423. 

Neal, Captain, 395. 

Neal's dragoons, 405. 

Negro regiment organized by Spaniards in 

Florida, 87. 
Nephew, Captain, 510. 
Neptune, transport, 372-373. 
Newbern, 469. 
Newbury-Port, 116. 
Newcastle, Duke of, 52. 
New England, 171. 
New Inverness, 45. 
New Jersey, 134. 
New parishes created, 209. 
New Richmond, 288. 
Newsom, Captain, 410. 
Newton, Sergeant. 448-449. 
New York, 83-99-134-182-185-335-365-373-414- 

454-467-549. 
Niam's plantation, 497. 
Nicholson, Governor, 24. 
Ninety-Six, 264-293-294-351-393-470-485-501- 

501-50.5-51O-515-e< seq., 524 
Niotts. Bartholomew, 52. 
Nitscham, Bishop, 48. 
North Carolina, 2-134-182-269-314-323-464-468- 

469-480-489. 
North Lord, 283. 

O'Neal, Captain, 516. 

Oates, Lieut. Jacob, 304. 

Occonostota, prince of Chote, 180-187-188. 

Oconee river, 210-535-536. 

Offensive legislation by parliament, 213. 

Ogechee ferrv, 376-465-532. 

Ogechee river. 27-210-260-262-439-465-528-541. 

Ogier. Captain, 469. 

Oglethorpe, James Edward, 2-3. 

Trustee, etc, 19. 

Lands at Charleston, 21. 

Lavs out Savannah. 21. 

Builds fort, 23. 

Makes Indian treaty, 25. 

Sails for England, 30. 



36 



5G2 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Oglethorpe returns to Georgia, 45. 

Prepares for war, 52-53. 

Sails for England, 53. 

Made commander in chief, 54. 

His regiment arrives, 72. 

Petition to allow slavery, 74-82. 

Plot to assassinate, 86. 

Plot fails and assassins punished, 87. 

Visits Creek towns and renews treaties, 98. 

Invades Florida, 101. 

Failure of expedition, 105. 

Bitterly assailed in pamphlet 106 to 109. 

Letter from James Habersham, 117. 

Able and brilliant defense of Georgia 
against Spaniards, 122 to 132. 

Address from people of Port Royal, 133. 

Charges preferred against him, 135. 

Sails for England and triumphantly vin- 
dicated, 135. 

Summary of his forces, 136. 

Does not return to Georgia, 137. 

Regiment disbanded, 146. 

Biography of, 223 to 227. 
Ohio, 178. 
Ohio river, 524. 
Orphan house founded by Whitefield, 111-112- 

118-144. 
Osgood, Rev. John, 171. 
Ossabaw island, 25-149-150-382-528. 
Otterbridge, Ensign, 123. 
Ottery, Captain, 393. 
Ottolenghe, Joseph, 197. 
Owens, Sergeant, 326. 
Oxford, 111. 

Pacolet river (Pacolate), 505. 

Paine, Thomas, 319. 

Palmer, Colonel, 102-104. 

Pallvchuckola creek, 25. 

Panton, William. 3.3.5-336-337-338. 

Panton and Lessly, 262. 

Pfimplico sound, 2. 

Pardo, conference at, 88. 

Parishes organized, 176. 

Paris's mill, 408. 

Parker, Henry, 36-92-137-160-161-169. 

Parker, Sir Hyde, 375-38.5-387-388-416. 

Parker. Captain, 542-544. 

Partisan warfare becomes general, 464. 

Patriots seize powder, 287. 

Patriots refugee to North Carolina, 471. 

Patterson, General, 468. 

Patterson, Jno., 312. 

Peacock, William, 350. 

Pearre, Capt. Nathaniel, 469. 

Pembroke College, HI. 

Penman, John, 410. 

Pennsvlvania, 134-335. 

Pensacola, 262-31.5-352. 

Percival square, 137. 

Perroneau, John, 337. 

Perry, Sergeant Major, 508. 

Petorsburgh, 261-392-473. 

Petty, Lieutenant, 353. 

Philadelphia, 218-269-.321. 

Porcnix, man of war, 373. 

Pickens, Col. Andrew, 392-394-395-409-465 etseq., 

482-503 et seq. 
Pickens, Captain, 294. 
Pickens, Capt. Joseph, 393-394. 
Pickens, General, 506 et aeq., 515 et aeg., 535 et 

seq., 545 el seq. 
Pickens, John, 535. 
Piedmont. 20. 
Pierce, Captain, 103. 
Pike's bluff, 353. 
Piles, Colonel. 509. 
Plnckney, Colonel C. C, 352-354-363-411. 



Pinckney, Major Thomas. 360-387-427. 

Plnkney, Wm., 164. 

Pipe creek, 472. 

Pipemaker's bluff, 25. 

Pipemaker's creek, 163. 

Pirkins, Colonel, 406, 

Plrkins' regiment, 405. 

Pittsburg, 460. 

Plat, Ebenezer Smith, 291. 

Point Peter, 176. 

Point Quartel, 103-104. 

Poland, 108-450-451. 

Pope, 145. 

Port Royal, 122-133-363-420-429. 

Posey, Colonel, 538-544-553. 

Powder captured and supply sent to Boston, 

291. 
Pray, Capt. Job, 464. 
Preparations by Americans and French for 

general assault on Savannah, 442. 
Price, Charles, 447. 
Price, Vincent, 101. 
Primrose, Lieutenant, 126. 
Princess Caroline, ship, 552. 
Prince's fort, 475. 
Privateers prey upon British vessels, 464-527- 

528-529-530-531. 
Proceedings of Creek chiefs at general assembly 
Appendix No. 3, 252 to 254. 
Declare allegiance to Malatche, Appendix 
No. 4, 255. 
Proclamation by British commanders, 385-386- 

480-481. 
Proclamation by state government, 321. 
Proclamation by Governor Wright, 270. 
Progress of the colony. 209. 
Property destruction In Georgia during revo- 
lution fully one-half the total, 553. 
Protestant religion, 86. 
Provincial assembly, 197. 
Provost, General Augustine, 177-353-354 et teq., 

365-371-373 et seq.. 436. 
Provost marches against Charleston. 418. 
Provost demands its surrender, 419. 
Provost, Lieut. Col. James Mark, 365-366-367- 

385 et seq. 
Prussia, 4.50. 

Pulaski, Count, 418-430-444-445-450. 
PuUiam, Capt. Jno., 317. 
Purysburgh, 345-352-370-384-401-417-418-468. 

Quaker springs, 166. 
Quakers, the, 262. 
Quamino Dolly, 375. 
Quebec, province of, 218. 

Rae, Colonel, 263. 

Rae, Col. Robert, 360. 

Rae, Lieutenant, 353. 

Rae's Hall, 303. 

Raleigh, Sir Walter, 1-2-3. 

Ramshauer's mill, 509. 

Randolph, Peyton, 218. 

Raven, man of war, 299. 

Rawdon, Lord, 524-525. 

Rawls, Cotton, 512. 

Rawls, William, 512. 

Read, James, 197. 

Rebecca, sloop, 353-382. 

Rebellion road, 292. 

Reed, George, 513. 

Reeden, Scott, 486. 

Reidlesperger, Christian, 162. 

Reid's bluff, 347-356-540. 

Resistance to British encroachments Increases, 

257. 
Resolutions by general assembly. 215 to 218. 
Retaliation and cruelties, 458. 



GENERAL INDEX. 



563 



Retreat of Allies from Savannah, 454. 

Retreat of British expedition, 369. 

Reynolds, John, appointed governor, 172-198. 

Rice exports, 174. 

Richardson, Colonel, 295. 

Richmond, 285. 

Richmond county, 318-458-471-546. 

Ricketson, Jordan, 486. 

Rising tide of resistance to parliamentary 

measures, 274. 
Roberts, Captain, 304. 
Roberts, Capt. Wm., 530. 
Roberts, Colonel, 379. 
Roberts. Col. Owen, 370. 
Roberts, Lieut. Col. Daniel, 360. 
Roberts, Maior, 3-53. 
Robeson, Lieutenant, .340-342. 
Robertson, James, 410. 
Robiero, Joseph De, 4 
Robinson, Pickering, 165. 
Rockingham, Marquis of, 282. 
Rodondo, Don Antonio de, 121-124. 
Rogers, 500. 

Roman Catholic religion, 218. 
Roman Catholic spirit, 86. 
Romulus, 116. 
Roney, Lieutenant, 466. 
Rose, ship, 430-437. 
Ross, Major, 40V407-409. 
Royal Gazette, 470. 
Rudulph, Captain, 516-521-522. 
Russell, Wm, 161. 
Russi a 450-45 1 . 

Rutherford, General, 314-401-406-411-536. 
Rutledge, Governor. 415-449-450. 

St. Andrew's parish, 176-198. 

St. Andrew's sound, 120-123-348. 

St. Augustine, 4-5-18-27-50-52-86-101-120-121- 

122-127-128-130-132-199-292-296-315-323-341- 

344-349-352-547-552. 
St. Catherine's island, 25-149-150-163-164. 
St. Catherine's sound. 177. 
St. Christophers, 27. 
St. Clair. General, 532. 
St. David's parish. 209-261. 
St. George's parish, 176-197. 
St. Helena sound, 53. 
St. James's parish, 176-198. 
St. John's parish, 176-198-335. 
St. John's river. 83-98-101-120-132-285-286. 
St. .Tohn schooner, 308. 
St. Mary's parish, 209-261. 
St. Mary's river. 120-176-208-209-210-261-307. 
St. Matthew's parish, 176-197. 
St. Patrick's parish, 209-261. 
St. Paul's parish, 176-197. 
St. Philip's parish, 176-198. 
St. Savilla, 208. 
St. Simons island, 25-83-118-120-123-124-130- 

168-348. 
St. Thomas's parish, 209-261. 
St. Vincent, 426. 
Sachio, Captain, 125. 
Salem, 276. 
Sallet. Robt.. 422. 
Saloue, 191. 
Salter, Captain, 382. 
Saluda river, 295-474. 
Salzburgh (in Germany), 27. 
Salzburghers, the, 34-35-64-119-138. 
Sanches, Francisco del Moral, 50-52. 
Sandy Hook, 372. 
Sapelo island, 149-150-423. 
Sattilla river, 315-325-329. 
Savannah district. 161-197. 
Savannah evacuated by British. 552. 
Savannah river. 2-6-208-263-299-511. 



Savannah, ship, 437. 

Savannah town ,21-25-26-27-45-68-137-151-261- 

372 el seq., 446-511-549. 
Saunders, 528. 
Sawpit bluff, 343. 
Scallan, Captain, 530-531. 
Scarborough, ship of war, 300-303. 
Schoval or Schovil, 259. 
Schovilites, 259. 
Scotland, 45. 

Scott, Lieutenant-Colonel, 360. 
Scottish immigrants secured, 45. 
Screven. James. 269 
Scriven. Captain, 304-316. 
Scriven, Colonel, 347. 
Scriven, Gen. James, 366-367. 
Scroggs, Lieutenant, 125. 
Scull creek, 435. 
Sealy (a Tory), 496. 
Sea islands, 197. 
Selacoa, 547. 
Seneca, 315. 
Sevier, Colonel, 492. 
Sevier, General, .5.36. 
Sharp, Major, .390. 
Sheftall, Mordecai, 416. 
Shelburne. Lord, 282. 
Shelby. Captain, 515. 
Shelbv, Colonel, 478-492. 
Sheldon. 428. 
Sheldon, Lieutenant, 525. 
Sherrill's fort, 262-264. 
Shirer's ferry, 497. 
Siege (second) of Augusta, 514 et teq. 
Siege of Charleston, 468. 
Siege of Ninety-Six, 524 et seq. 
Siege of Savannah. 431 et ■>eq. 
Siege of St. Augustine, 102. 
Silers, Ensign, 487. 
Silk culture experiments, 38. 
Silk culture experiments a failure, 141. 
Silk culture experiments again tried, 165. 
Silver bluff, 34. 
Simmons, William, 527. 
Singleton, Major, 475. 
Sinqufield, Captain, 294. 
Sister's Ferry, 380-408. 
Skidaway district, 162. 
Skidaway narrows, 27-55-304. 
Skinner. General, 373. 
Skirmish with Indians on Oconee, 316. 
Skirmish with Indians at Beaverdam creek, 317. 
Skirmish between Indians and Elijah Clarke, 

317. 
Skirmish with Indians at Beard's creek. 325. 
Skirmish with Indians near Fort Howe. 347. 
Skirmish at Bull-town swamp, 365. 
Skirmish near Medway, General Screven killed > 

367. 
Skirmish at Port Royal, British defeated, 390. 
Skirmish in Burke county, 390. 
Skirmish on Brier creek, 391. 
Skirmish at Carr's fort, 393. 
Skirmish with Boyd, 395. 
Skirmish at Herbert's, 400. 
Skirmish at Hickory Hill, 421. 
Skirmish at White House, 422. 
Skirmish on Buckhead creek, 424. 
Skirmish in Burke and Liberty counties, 465. 
Skirmish between McDowell and Dunlop, 475- 

476. 
Skirmish between Innes and Clarke, 477. 
Skirmish between Sumter and Wemyss, 496-497. 
Skirmish between Clarke and Allen, 502-503. 
Skirmish with Tories at Hammond's old store, 

505. 
Skirmish between Clarke and Dunlop, 510. 
Skirmish near Matthew's bluff, 511. 



561 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Skirmish near Wiggin's hill, 512. 
Skirmish at Walker's bridge, 515. 
Skirmish near Buck island, 515. 
Skirmish at Ogechee ferry, 532-533. 
Skirmish at Cuthbert's saw mill, 539. 
Skirmish at Baillou's causeway, .542. 
Slavery, petition in favor of introducing Afri- 
can slaves, .58 to 62. 
Counter petition by Germans and High- 
landers, 63 to 67. 
Petition denied by trustees, 90. 
Continued agitation and assembly called 
to discuss question, 143-144-145. 
Smallpox very troublesome and fatal, 469. 
Smallwood, General. 494. 
Smith, Lieut. Aaron, 380. 
Smith, Maj. Burwell, 410-477. 
Smith, Colonel. 403. 
Smith, George, 513-540. 
Smith, Capt. James, 487. 
Smith, John, 269-273-288. 
Smith, John C, 377. 
Smith, Richard, 168. 
Snow campaign, 295. 
Soap creek, 482. 
South America, 3. 
South Carolina, 3-4-6-7-8-»-l 1-18-28-32-36-44- 

72-84-85-87-99-106-121-123-143-156-168-179- 

1 92-209-289-3 14-31 8-467-553 . 
South Carolina, all important points in British 

bands, 480. 
Spain, 3-4-5-50-198-219-.549. 
Spaniards, 14-lS. 

Intrigues with Indians, 44. 
Jealous of Georgia, 49. 
Treaty with, 50-51. 

Demand evacuation of territory by Eng- 
lish. 53. 
Incite servile insurrection in South Caro- 
lina, 87. 
Invade Georgia, 122. 
Summary of forces, 136. 
Spencer, Captain, 421-464-529. 
Spencer, Capt. Samuel, 423. 
Spirit creek, 407-527. 
Spring Hill, 443-444-447-450. 
Spurgen, Major, 396. 
Stacy, John. 269. 
Stallings, 494. 
Stamp act, 213. 
Stanislaus, 4.50-451. 

State government fully reorganized, 554. 
Stedman, Lieutenant, 447. 
Stephens, William, 85-92-97-99-137-148-151-160 

309-353-459. 
Stewart, Henry, 296-297. 
Stewart, Capt. John, 179-183-186-189-190-201- 

202-208-2 1 1 -259-266-295-3 1 1-324-408. 
Stevens, John, 177. 
Stiles, Capt. Joseph, 464. 
Stirk, John, 269. 
Stirk, Col. John, 459. 
Stirk, Samuel, 350-554. 
Stirk. Ma.i. Saml., 489. 
Stokes, Judge. 278. 
Stone, Lieutenant, 414. 
Stono ferry, 419. 
Stono inlet, 468. 
Stono. insurrection at, 88. 
Strong resolutions by the Georgiana, 272. 
Struther's plantation, 542. 
Stuart, Alexander. 122. 
Stuart. Sergeant and Ensign, 126-130-136. 
Sufferings and oppressions endured by the 

Georgiana, 456. 
Sufferings of the people become extreme, 491. 
Sugar-town, 182 
SuUivan's Island, 315-447. 



Summary of French and American troops &\ 

siege of Savannah. 446. 
Summer heat, 175. 
Summers, Joseph. 162. 
Sumner, General, 417. 
Sumpter, Col. Thos.. 340. 
Sumpter. General. 489-492-494 el seq., 524. 
Sunbury. 177-200-324-335-345-364-369-382-421- 

428-430-529-531. 
Supple, Ensicn, 46.5-466. 
Surinam. 333-336-337. 
Surrender of Charleston. 468. 
Sutherland. Lieutenant. 126. 
Swanson. Lieutenant, 421. 
Swicard's mill, 472. 
Syren, man of war. 299. 

Tnilfer, Patrick. 82. 

Tait. Captain, 505-506-507. 

Taliquo, 187. 

Tamer, man of war, 292-299-303. 

Tangier. 81. 

Tannatt, Edmund. 197. 

Tanner, Leonard, 512. 

Tarling, Colonel. 360. 

Tarlton. Colonel, 498-505 et seq. 

Tate, 409. 

Taws, Captain, 444. 

Taylor, Captain, 361. 

Taylor, Colonel. 495 el t>eq. 

Taylor, Maj. Saml., 483. 

Telfair, Edward, 2fi9-273-287-288-45a-493-494- 
.548. 

Telfair. William, 410. 

Tellico block-house, 179. 

Tench's island, 429. 

Tennessee river, 179. 

TennlU, Lieutenant, 380. 

Tenure of lands 
Action by trustees, 92 to 97. 

Terrapin, chief, 546. 

Terrill, Lieutenant, 414. 

Thomas, Captain of ship Anne, 20. 

Thomas, Colonel, 351. 

Thomas, Col. John. 409-410. 

Thomas (a Tory). .388. 

Thompson, Captain, 123. 

Thompson, Colonel, 295-315-345-370. 

Thompson, Major, 190. 

Thompson, William. 288. 

Thunderbolt, 55-376. 

Thunderer, galley, 414-438. 

Tillet, James, 525. 

Tillet (Tory), 523. 

Toles, Lieutenant. 328. 

Tolson, Lieutenant, 123. 

Tomochichi, 2.5-26-30-31-32-125-136. 

Tondee's long room or tavern, 278-288. 

Tonyn, Governor, 307-336. 

Tooanohowi, 125. 

Tories, 259. 

Tories murder and pillage the patriots, 472. 

Torture of Mrs. McKay by Tories, 472-473. 

Tottenham Court road, 116. 

Trader's Hill, 210. 

Treaty with lower Creeks, Appendix No. 2. 
248 to 251. 

Treaty with Indians, 318. 

Treaty between France and United States. 425. 

Treaty between America, France and Eng- 
land, 554. 

Triplett, Captain, 505-506-507. 

Troubles with Indian traders, 55. 

Troubles with Spain, 71-72. 

Trultlen, Governor, 461. 

Trultlen, John Adam, 333-350. 

Trustees of Georgia 

Trustees, list of first board, 6. 



GENERAL INDEX. 



565 



Truatees surrender charter,' 171. 

Tugaloe. 318. .^,; 

Tunbridge, 116. 

Turkey creek, 509. 

Turkey, head chief, 264. 

Twelve Mile river, 182. 

Twigga, Capt. John, 317. 

Twiggs, Col. John, 390-400-421-424-434-457- 

464 et seq., 495 et seq. 
Twiggs, General, 526-527-531-533-535-548. 
Tybee Island, 22-27-55-291-299-373-430-454-552. 
Tyger, galley, 531. 
Tyger river, 497-498. 

United States. 1-320-321-425-469-493-553. 
Urlapurger, Rev. Senior, 64. 

Valley Forge, 459. 

Vanderdussen, Colonel, 101. 

Vaughan, General, 408. 

Vernon, Admiral. 99-120-121-128. 

Vernon river, 376. 

Vernonbourgh district, 162-197. 

Vigilant, man of war, 373-375. 

Virginia, 101-134-178-182-186-190-202-314-323- 

335-454-457. 
Vulture, sloop of war, 552. 

Wade. Captain. 528. 

Walker's bridge. 515. 

Wall. Lieutenant, 123. 

Wall's cut, 435. 

Waller, Mr., 107. 

Walpole, Sir Robert, 72. 

Walton, Colonel, 334-460. 

Walton, George, 267-269-287-288-302-458-554. 

Walton. Col. George, 377-379. 

Walton. Governor, 463. 

Walton, John, 350. 

Walton, Mr., 493. 

War with Spain, 99. 

War with Indians, 180. 

War, Revolutionary begins, 286. 

War becomes unpopular in England, 548-549. 

Ward, Lieut. Robt., 343. 

Warren, Captain, 103. 

Warsaw, 451. 

Washington county, 548. 

Washington galley, 353. 

Washington, General, 334-335-339-346. 

Washington, Col. William, 469-505 et seq. 

Watauga, 491. 

Watch-house meeting, 269. 

Waters, Capt. Thomas, 261. 

Waters, Col. Thomas, 545-546-547. 

Waters (Tory), 523. 

Watson, Charles, 162. 

Watson, Capt. Joseph, 36. 

Way, Parmenus, 198-269. 

Wayne, General, 531-53S et seq, 550 et aeq. 

Weatherford, 263. 

Webb, 465. 

Webb's ferry, 395. 

Wells, Andrew Elton, 273. 

Wemysa, Major, 495-496-497. 

Wereat, John. 303-338-458-489-539. 

Wesley, John, 45-46-47-48-49-56. 






West Indies, 2-54-69-120-121-141-177-199-337- 

426-464-528-529. 

Westminster, 97. 

Whitaker, Captain, 422. 

White, Col. Anthony Walton, 

White, bluff, 377. 

White. Colonel, 546. r 

White, Col. John, 353-360-364-366-439-453. 

White, house, 422-486. • 

Whitefield. Rev. G^o.. 27-111 to 117-144-145. 

Whitefield, James, 197. 

Whitley. Captain, 400. m 

Wigcins hill, .'il2-513. , J» 

Wilkes, 285. «, 

Wilkps county, 211-318-407-469-471-472-482-546. 

Williams, 197. 

Williams, Britton, 513. *• 

Williams, Captain, 342. 

Williams, Colonel, 478-492. 

Williams, Col. Hezel^ah, 539. 

Williams, Lt^tenant, 263-316-409. 

Williams, Jl/., 339. 

Williamsofobert, 90. 

WilliamSWurgh, 269. .^ 

Williamson, Andrew, 289-«TT-313-314-315. 

Williamson, Col Andrew, 352-356 et seq. 391. 

Williamson, Maj. Andrew, 293-294. 

Williamson, Gen. Andrew, 399-401-403-415-443- 
470-471-504-505. / 

Williamson, Lieut. Col. Micajah, 510-514 

Williamson, Williafai, 92. 

Wilmington, 469/ 

Winn, Captain, 315. 

Winn, John, 198-269. 

Winn, Capt. Richard, 325-328. 

Winn, Col. Richard, 495-496-498-500. 

Winnsborough, 494-497-500. 

Wise, Major, 360. 

Wolf, Captain, 342. 

Wood, Mr.. 334. 

Wormslow, 27. 

Wright, Germyn, 307. 

Wright, Sir James, 197-198-208-210-211-218-219- 
220-258-259-260-261-262-265-279-287-289-290- 
299-300-302-30.3-307-309-423-428-466-539-552. 

Wright, James, Jr., 422. 

Wrightsboro, 263-394-409. 

Wright's plantation, 465. 

Wyllv, Alexander, 197-211-213. 

Wylly, Captain, 488-512-513. 

Wylly, Mr. (murdered), 513. 

Yamacraw bluff, 3-21-24-25-156-170. 

Yamasee bluff, 414. 

Yonge, Henry, 197. 

Young. Captain, 353. 

Young, Capt. Edward, 366. 

Young, Colonel, 404. 

Young, Commissioner, 260. 

Young, Isaac, 170. 

Young, Thomas, 421. 

Young,, William, 269-273-288. 

Zebra, frigate, 552. 

Zubly, David, 269. 

Zubly, John Joachim, 290-319. 

Zubley'a ferry, 368-38(M34-454. 



